Thai country music sensation Hai Apapar held a merit-making ceremony at her home on April 30, welcoming monks and inviting her team of musicians and dancers to participate alongside her beloved mother before heading to a concert performance. "Today I had the opportunity to make merit at home for the land guardian spirits and angels residing here. Before going to the concert, my entire team of musicians, dancers, and staff participated in this good deed together. For those who watch this clip, I hope you share in this merit and blessings," Hai said. The lottery community took notice—on May 2 when the lottery drew, observers spotted clear numbers within the sacred water vessel during the ceremony, prompting enthusiasts to rapidly place bets on combinations including 50, 56, 59, 509, and 75, repeating prayers for wealth and prosperity.

The Commerce Ministry and CP Axtra have launched the 'Thailand: The Land of Tropical Fruits' campaign to support domestic durian consumption of 500,000 tons and stabilize prices before large harvests reach the market. Director-General Witthayakorn Maneenat of the Internal Trade Department announced that this year's fruit production, especially durians, is expected to increase substantially, with total output projected to exceed 2 million tons—approximately 33 percent higher than previous years. The ministry is working with all sectors including wholesale and retail chains, central markets, fresh markets, online platforms, and private businesses to accelerate product distribution and create sales channels for farmers from the beginning of the season.

Maneenat explained that the Internal Trade Department is pursuing an aggressive marketing strategy, refusing to wait for oversupply to drive down prices. The department is continuously organizing consumption promotion activities with a target to support sales of over 500,000 tons this year to help stabilize prices and boost purchasing power in the market. Positive signals are already emerging, with durian prices rising an average of 5-10 baht per kilogram last week, currently ranging from 145-155 baht per kilogram.

'This is a golden year for farmers and consumers who can access quality fruit at reasonable prices, especially durians which are extremely popular right now,' Maneenat said. 'Whether large or small, all durians entering the market are guaranteed quality with good flesh and excellent taste. We need to quickly build awareness and give both Thai people and foreign tourists the opportunity to taste high-quality durians from Thai orchards.'

The Commerce Ministry is also preparing to promote Thai fruits in major tourist areas under the 'Thailand: The Land of Tropical Fruits' concept to communicate with both Thai and international visitors and tourists, while positioning Thailand as a world-class destination for premium tropical fruits.

Siripon Detsing, Chief Executive Officer of CP Axtra's Sustainability and Corporate Communications Division, stated that Makro and Lotus are ready to act as intermediaries connecting farmers and consumers. This year, the retailers target a threefold increase in durian purchases from farmers, up from approximately 22,000 tons last year, and around 30,000 tons when including all fruits, helping to distribute products and expand market channels for Thai farmers.

Makro and Lotus have also organized the 'Let's Dorian' event, featuring all-you-can-eat durian and Eastern region fruit buffets delivered directly from farmers' orchards. The event includes a quality guarantee service with professional selection, cutting, weighing, and peeling, assuring delicious and sweet fruit at 599 baht per person, plus special privileges at Makro-Lotus stores nationwide.

CP Axtra has also partnered with the Internal Trade Department to facilitate fruit trade through a contract market using the department's standardized contract agreement, with purchase commitments exceeding 2,110 tons valued at over 70 million baht from October 2025 to April 2026. The agreement covers a diverse range of fruits and agricultural products including sweet lime, bananas, avocados, guavas, mangoes, lettuce, pomelos, watermelons, dragon fruits, pumpkins, red onions, garlic, longans, lychees, mangosteens, loganberries, rambutans, and papayas.

'Today, Makro and Lotus serve as a bridge between farmers and consumers. We want our over 30 million members nationwide to consume high-quality fruits and durians from Thai orchards, while helping expand distribution channels so farmers can access larger markets,' Siripon said.

At 9:30 a.m. on May 1, 2024, Thamnanthon Tangtim (known as Sergeant King) brought the victim's family to file a complaint with investigators at the Central Investigation Police Bureau, citing a lack of progress in the case that began during Songkran. The victim, 39-year-old Supakij, suffered severe injuries on April 14 at approximately 5:28 p.m. in the Nivet Chao Fa Soi area on Prachauthit Road 10 in Don Mueang, Bangkok, after being repeatedly kicked and stomped on the head and chest by his assailant, 38-year-old Chirathat (alias "Joe"). Supakij was hospitalized at Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital with brain swelling, intracranial bleeding, and a fractured skull, eventually dying on April 17 at 4:40 p.m.

The victim's 35-year-old widow, Kamlachonok, revealed that her husband had been invited by the perpetrator—a close friend he hadn't seen in over 10 years—to celebrate Songkran. She said she lost contact with him that evening and learned the next day he had been hospitalized. When reviewing CCTV footage from the apartment complex, she discovered her husband was brutally attacked with 7-8 kicks to the head while offering no resistance, contradicting the perpetrator's claim of only 4 strikes during a drunken scuffle. Most troubling to her is that her husband was left unconscious on a stretcher overnight before being transported to the hospital around 2 p.m. on April 15—despite the attacker's mother witnessing the entire incident from the start.

The widow stated she filed a report at Don Mueang Police Station, but the case has stalled with no investigation progress. She was denied access to the police report and learned that the perpetrator visited the station early the following week without any charges being filed. She expressed deep concern, noting that the attacker appears to have connections to influential local figures and continues living freely. She emphasized that her deceased husband was the family's sole breadwinner supporting two young children, and with prompt medical care, he might have survived.

An appeals court in Phnom Penh upheld a 27-year prison sentence against opposition leader Kem Sokha on sedition charges and ordered him banned from leaving the country for five years after his release. Sokha has remained under house arrest since his 2017 arrest.

Cambodia has long faced accusations of using its justice system to suppress government critics and political opponents. Though the government claims to uphold the rule of law within an electoral democratic system, rival political parties have been dissolved by court order or their leaders imprisoned and threatened.

In 2023, courts convicted the 72-year-old Sokha of conspiracy with the United States to overthrow the Cambodian government, citing video evidence of him discussing political advice from U.S. democracy support groups.

Sokha's Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) was the sole opposition party capable of challenging the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP). However, the court dissolved the CNRP after Sokha's arrest, preventing him from running in the 2018 elections.

In early April, Sokha testified to the appeals court that he never conspired with any country or proposed trading Cambodian lives or territory, asserting his actions were motivated by national peace and unity.

Sokha's lawyer, Peng Heng, expressed disappointment with the verdict and said he and his client would decide whether to appeal to the supreme court. He also called on the government to promote national reconciliation.

Western embassies in Cambodia have expressed concern over the ruling. The British embassy stated: "We want to see Kem Sokha released and have his political freedoms restored. We believe this would help strengthen democracy in Cambodia."

In a separate political case, a Phnom Penh court recently sentenced 33 suspects on April 29 for opposing a border development agreement. The defendants included social media users, opposition politicians, and political activists. Human rights organization LICADHO reported they were convicted of incitement to commit serious offenses—a broadly applied charge common in political cases—with sentences ranging from 18-month suspended sentences to two years imprisonment, plus $1,000 fines.

After entertainment host Mawdaai Kachapon hinted on her news program about a young celebrity couple who have been quietly separated for 3-4 months while still maintaining business partnerships with no couple photos on social media, it emerged the person in question is JJ Krishnapoomi, the boyfriend of actress Tah Naeng Kanyanwee. Mawdaai revealed she didn't interview JJ directly but instead told him, "Come back another time, don't worry. I won't ask you anything, just come back again," while offering him encouragement as he smiled with relief.

Mawdaai later updated through her news program, "Yesterday I felt bad for him—he was sweating the whole time. I could tell I hadn't asked him anything, but I sensed something was there. I'll let him finish his work and then he can answer himself."

"I spoke with his manager and the manager told him to be ready. Then he should come out and explain what's going on himself. I didn't dare ask him directly. When I spoke with his manager, things just seemed off and different from usual."

Meanwhile, actress Tah Naeng has been traveling to Phu Quoc, Vietnam for a vacation with world-class superstar Jessica Jung, former member of Girls' Generation, seemingly ignoring the breakup rumors. She posted relaxed photos of her time there and her latest work updates, with fans flooding her posts with hearts and compliments.

A villager from Loei province entered the forest to forage for wild products and disappeared for eight days before being found dead in the Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary, believed to have been attacked by a wild elephant. The family remains uncertain about the cause of death.

The case involves a village headman from Yang Diao village, Khao Luang subdistrict, Wang Saphung district, Loei province, who reported a missing resident after the person entered the Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary to search for forest products on April 22, 2025. The missing person is identified as Boonma Whaen Chanlah, 57 years old.

Following the report, officials coordinated search efforts involving multiple agencies including the Wang Saphung district administration, Khao Luang subdistrict administrative organization, Border Patrol Police Unit 246, K9 police dog unit, Border Patrol Police Command Unit 24, village officials, Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary staff, rescue teams, Loei Amateur Radio Association, and the QRK5TAEM association. The search operation ran between April 28-29, 2025, but found no trace of the missing person.

On April 30, 2025, villagers reported discovering Boonma's body approximately 800 meters from the forest boundary near the Huai Buaeng checkpoint area.

Investigators found elephant tracks in the surrounding area, and the body bore multiple wounds. Initial findings suggest the man may have been fatally attacked by a wild elephant.

A preliminary autopsy was conducted by medical and investigative officials, which revealed the body was severely decomposed. The family expressed doubts about the cause of death. The body was released to the family for funeral rites on May 1, 2025.