Thai couple allegedly kills man after swindling his money using AI generated profileLegacyA Thai couple allegedly operated a romance scam using artificial intelligence (AI) to create a social media profile, and murdered a victim in Surat Thani after their criminal action was caught. The victim, 61 year old Wichit Chompong, was found with more than 10 gunshot wounds in a roadside plantation in Son Sak district. His mobile phone was damaged and left at the scene. Wichit’s body was discovered by his 56 year old sister, Preeda, who became concerned after he left home at night. She said her brother rarely went out after dark for safety, noting he had previously been involved in illegal gun trading and drug trafficking before later running a shrimp farm. Before leaving, Wichit reportedly told his granddaughter he was going to deliver fuel to someone. His unusual behaviour prompted Preeda to follow him, leading to the discovery of his body. Photo via Matichon According to Channel 8, a housemaid identified as Fern and her boyfriend Sunthon are key suspects. Fern allegedly introduced Wichit to a woman named Ploy and provided him with her social media contact. Wichit reportedly developed a relationship with the woman online and transferred money to her, despite warnings from family members that the profile images may have been generated using AI. Reports indicated that the funds were transferred to Sunthon’s bank account rather than to Ploy. Media reports suggested the couple may have created a fake AI-generated profile to defraud Wichit. It is alleged they may have arranged to meet him on the day of the incident and killed him after he became aware of the scheme. Police have not confirmed these claims. Fern | Photo via Channel 8 Fern denied involvement, stating she had returned to her family home in another district on the day of the incident. However, a witness reportedly told Channel 8 that Fern was seen with Wichit that day. She declined to speak to reporters and left a police station without giving an interview. Another man, identified only as Dam, told Channel 8 that Fern introduced him to a woman named Bee in a similar manner. He said he transferred money during the relationship before later suspecting the profile was AI-generated. The funds were reportedly sent to Sunthon’s account, similar to Wichit’s case. Police investigations are ongoing. Members of the public have called for officers to examine Fern’s mobile phone and computer records as part of the inquiry. The story Thai couple allegedly kills man after swindling his money using AI generated profile as seen on Thaiger News.

'THAILAND RESET' is more than just a seminar—NIDA is inviting people to rethink and collectively question Thailand's future.

Thailand stands at a critical turning point amid structural constraints, mounting debt, and increasing global economic volatility across all dimensions, forcing us to confront challenges to long-term growth potential. Today's question is not merely 'how much can Thailand grow?' but 'how can we adapt and move forward?' in an uncertain global economy.

Facing these national-level challenges, the National Institute of Development Administration's (NIDA) School of Business is organizing the 'THAILAND RESET: Rethinking for Thailand's Future' seminar on Saturday, April 25, 2026, in commemoration of the institution's and school's 60th anniversary.

The event aims to exchange business management perspectives and collectively identify the direction of Thailand's economy. Rather than a traditional seminar, this forum is designed as a space for asking new questions about the nation's future, drawing on insights from thought leaders across various sectors.

Although Thailand's economy continues to grow, warning signs of constraints are becoming clearer—slowing growth rates, challenged competitiveness, and pressure from rapid global economic shifts. The critical question is not just 'how do we grow?' but 'how do we upgrade and adapt?' to keep pace with the world. This is a shared question for the business, finance, and policy sectors that must be answered together.

Where will Thailand head amid a rapidly changing world?

A key highlight is the Keynote Session: Thailand's Future, featuring perspectives from former national policymakers including Dr. Thanong Bidaya, former Minister of Finance, and Dr. Somkid Jatusripitak, former Deputy Prime Minister.

The content reflects Thailand's role from past to present within shifting global power dynamics (Geopolitics), highlighting the crucial role of the private sector. For Thai businesses to truly grow, they need government support—not only advancing national capabilities but also creating financial and trade stability, as well as strengthening Thailand's negotiating power on the global stage.

Three Perspectives Driving Thailand's Economy: From 'Big Picture' to 'Real Action'

The Panel Session: Where is Thailand's Economy Headed? delved into Thailand's economic outlook through three action-oriented perspectives, led by Dr. Poj Aramwattananont, Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, Sethaput Suthiwart-Narueput, Governor of the Bank of Thailand, and Dr. Uthama Savananon, former Minister of Finance and former Minister of Industry.

The exchange revealed that while all sectors face the same challenge, their implementation contexts differ. The business sector must accelerate competitiveness improvements, the financial sector must maintain stability against volatility, while the policy sector shapes direction and creates conditions for long-term growth. Though roles differ, all sectors are interconnected and mutually dependent.

The 'THAILAND RESET: Rethinking for Thailand's Future' seminar demonstrates that national change cannot occur without cooperation from all sectors. While the forum's discussions may not offer ready-made answers, they have clarified the nation's questions regarding direction, roles, and the necessity of moving forward together.

Ultimately, Thailand's future may not depend solely on policy or economic structure, but on 'people' who can think, analyze, and take action.

In the 2026 AVC Women's Club Volleyball Championship semifinal held on April 29 at MCC Hall The Mall Lifestore in Bangkapi, Bangkok, Nakhon Ratchasima 3M Film, the reigning Thailand League champions, faced off against Suphrem Thipya Chonburi-E.Tech, a two-time champion of this tournament.

Led by captain Sasipahorn Chanthavisut, along with key players Pattachaya Phontham, Thichakorn Boonlert, and Kaewkalya Kamulthala, Nakhon Ratchasima secured a dramatic five-set victory over Suphrem Thipya, whose lineup featured captain Pluemchit Thinkhaow, Kattika Kaewpin, and Warisa Sitalaert. The final set scores were 21-25, 25-20, 20-25, 31-29, and 15-12.

Nakhon Ratchasima will now face Japan's NEC Red Rockets Kawasaki in the championship final. The Japanese team advanced by defeating Kazakhstan's Zhetysu 3-1 with set scores of 25-18, 25-20, 24-26, and 25-22.

On April 30, the third-place playoff between Suphrem Thipya and Zhetysu begins at 3:00 p.m., followed by the championship match between Nakhon Ratchasima 3M Film and NEC Red Rockets Kawasaki at 7:00 p.m.

The Ministry of Defence marked its 139th founding anniversary without abandoning its personnel, visiting wounded soldiers to provide encouragement and reaffirm commitment to caring for those who sacrificed for the nation, reflecting the enduring power of sacrifice and national unity. On April 29, 2025, in celebration of the Ministry of Defence's 139th anniversary, the ministry organized visits to injured military personnel who were wounded while performing their duties, aiming to boost morale and encourage those who made sacrifices for the country. At 10:30 a.m., Deputy Permanent Secretary Thorapong Malakam, representing the Defence Minister, accompanied by vice permanent secretaries, representatives of the Supreme Commander and military branch commanders, and heads of attached units, visited wounded personnel who were injured in counterterrorism operations and national defense missions at the Military Hospital. The visit demonstrated the ministry's care and commitment to supporting military personnel who perform their duties with bravery and dedication, with the deputy permanent secretary offering encouragement and presenting welfare gifts as tokens of gratitude from the institution and the public to frontline personnel. These activities continue the ministry's 139-year tradition of safeguarding national independence, sovereignty, and peace while maintaining continuous welfare support and morale for military personnel. The anniversary commemoration also serves to reflect on the institution's history and honor those who dedicated themselves to the nation, showcasing the enduring power of sacrifice and unity that has remained steadfast to the present day.

Thai food companies have been invited to apply for the Good Farm Animal Welfare Awards (GFAWA) 2026 following Compassion in World Farming's (CIWF) official announcement this year. The award recognizes companies committed to improving farm animal welfare through clear policies, measurable progress, and transparent reporting. Applications are accepted in three categories: Good Egg, Good Chicken, and Sow Stall Free, with a deadline of July 3, 2026. The awards ceremony will be held on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, in Brussels, Belgium.

Thailand Advances Farm Animal Welfare Standards

The momentum for welfare-conscious production is growing steadily in Thailand, with companies increasingly aligning with international standards, particularly in cage-free eggs and broiler chicken welfare improvements.

Thailand's progress has been notable, with Hilltribe Organics becoming the first Thai company to receive the Good Egg Award in 2014, recognized for their commitment to cage-free egg production. In 2023, Klong Phai Farm became the first Thai company to win the Good Chicken Award, demonstrating leadership in adopting higher animal welfare practices.

In 2024, Thai award recipients included Tan-Khun Organic Farm, which won the Good Egg Award; Klong Phai Farm, which received both the Good Egg Award and Good Turkey Award; and KPS Farm. KPS Farm became Thailand's first recipient of the Sow Stall Free Award, transitioning from individual stalls to group housing systems—a practice still relatively uncommon in Asia.

"At KPS, we focus on three areas: pigs, people, and the planet," said Arinruda Chankesem, Managing Director of KPS Farm. "Every life is family to us in what we call home. We're committed to continuously improving farm standards for the welfare, happiness, and safety of all lives on our farm, and we believe every element must grow sustainably together."

Applications Now Open for Thai Companies

The Good Farm Animal Welfare Awards recognize companies demonstrating clear, measurable actions to improve animal welfare standards.

At 5:30 a.m. on April 30, 2569, Police Lieutenant Chaloem Khunphakdi of Bang Kaew Police Station responded to a vehicle fire report at Isuzu Hat Yai Limited Company's Mae Khri branch in Kok Sak subdistrict, Bang Kaew district, Phatthalung province. Upon arrival with Mae Khri municipal firefighters, officers found two Isuzu pickup trucks parked side by side in the company lot engulfed in intense flames. Firefighting crews took approximately 30 minutes to extinguish the blaze, but both vehicles were completely destroyed.

Company security personnel reported hearing a loud popping sound from the rear parking area before discovering the intense fire. According to preliminary investigation, both vehicles had previously suffered flood damage in Hat Yai, Songkhla province before being repaired at an external shop. They were brought to the company on April 29 for electrical system inspection when the fire occurred that evening.

Authorities have not yet determined the exact cause of the fire or which vehicle was the ignition source. Police continue their investigation to establish the true cause of the incident.