Bangkok — On April 28, Culture Minister Sabida Thaiseth announced that the restoration of Ta Kwai temple is expected to take approximately two years, with the project currently awaiting budget allocation.

Speaking at Government House at 9:40 a.m., Sabida stated that the Fine Arts Department has completed an initial survey, and the Culture Ministry is working closely with military units in the area to clear the site. Officials are prepared to provide comprehensive support to facilitate the work, she added.

When asked if the area is now safe and conflict-free, Sabida said she could not confirm this, as the matter falls under the jurisdiction of security authorities. However, based on available information, she said officials would ensure safety and provide assistance for site access.

She explained that the restoration aims to return the temple as closely as possible to its original state, using modern technology to replicate its former appearance. While some color differences may remain to distinguish original materials from new ones, the overall structure will follow the original design.

Sabida noted that the restoration process is not highly complex and the Fine Arts Department possesses the necessary expertise to execute the work. Once completed, the site could potentially be developed as a tourist attraction, though further enhancements to the surrounding area and landscape may be needed.

On April 28, 2025, Royal Thai Navy spokesman Rear Admiral Paratj Rattanajaipan announced that the Navy is proceeding with a project to acquire one oil tanker to replace HTMS Chula, which was commissioned on December 30, 1980 and has served for over 45 years. The vessel is now at the end of its operational lifespan and is scheduled for decommissioning in 2026.

This project aligns with the Royal Thai Navy Strategy 2017-2037 (revised 2023) to maintain maritime logistics capabilities across regional naval commands. The new tanker will enhance the Navy's ability to conduct military operations and humanitarian missions, while promoting Thailand's domestic shipbuilding industry and technological capabilities.

The new oil tanker is designed and constructed to international standards and Royal Thai Navy specifications, including RINA classification standards, SOLAS and MARPOL conventions, and relevant maritime engineering standards. It will feature a high-safety fuel transfer system for efficient fuel replenishment operations while minimizing spillage risk and meeting international environmental standards.

On March 30, 2025, the Ministry of Defence approved the Navy's contract with Thai International Dockyards Limited (TINDY) through a selective procurement process, with a total budget of 434,634,000 baht and delivery scheduled for 2026. The contract was signed today with TINDY, an experienced Thai shipbuilder that has previously collaborated with the Royal Thai Navy.

The Royal Thai Navy confirmed that this project will significantly strengthen maritime security, enhance logistics capabilities, and enable the Navy to efficiently respond to evolving security challenges.

According to Nattareya Thawiwong, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Thailand accumulated over 11.3 million foreign tourists from January 1 to April 26, 2025. Last week marked a strong recovery in short-haul market arrivals, with a 26% increase compared to the previous week. Chinese tourists led with over 100,000 arrivals, representing a 40% surge, while Taiwanese tourists climbed from 11th to 5th place among visitor nationalities.

The previous week recorded 536,401 total foreign arrivals, up 71,681 visitors or 15.42% from the week prior, averaging 76,629 tourists daily. The top five source countries were China (102,493), Malaysia (73,571), India (45,811), Russia (26,015), and Taiwan (18,482). Chinese and Malaysian visitors increased 37.31% and 20.91% respectively, while Taiwanese, Russian, and Indian tourists declined 41.93%, 15.32%, and 1.45% respectively.

The following week is expected to see increased arrivals driven by Labor Day holidays in multiple countries, normalized energy conditions in Thailand, the "Trusted Thailand" safety initiative, government travel facilitation measures, TM.6 card exemptions, and increased airline flights.

As of April 27, 2025, Thailand has accumulated 11.36 million foreign tourists from January 1 to April 26, generating approximately 555.6 billion baht in tourism revenue. The top five source markets were China (1.84 million), Malaysia (1.23 million), Russia (849,367), India (805,208), and South Korea (465,702).

The four members of GELBOYS – New Chayapak, Pide Monthaprumi, PJ Mahidol, and Leon Brocco – have given a fresh Gen Z interpretation to the classic hit 'Go Cute Far Far' by Dan-Beam. The remake retains the cutesy charm of the original while infusing it with modern production and contemporary youth culture vibes. The lyrics have been sharpened in perspective, with music production by Mek Machina (Sukum Immuabsin) and new rap arrangements and opening sections created by SMEW (Thanis Kaewsurivoong), adding signature Gen Z slang that defines GELBOYS' style. This comeback not only reinforces GELBOYS' image as an up-and-coming T-POP group worth watching, but also showcases their continuous musical evolution in terms of sound, production quality, and the increasingly distinctive identities of all four members, while maintaining their characteristic Gen Z appeal. The 'Go Cute Far Far' (GO CUTE FAR FAR) version by GELBOYS is now available on all streaming platforms.

On April 28, 2025, at Parliament, Prisat Wachrasindu, a list MP from the Pheu Thai Party, spoke to media about concerns surrounding an evening livestream involving Deputy PM and Commerce Minister Supachee Suthammaphan and prominent influencer Pimrypai. Prisat said he was representing the public's worries, particularly from durian farmers anxious that the 100-baht-per-fruit promotion signals pressure that could artificially depress farm-gate prices and harm farmers' livelihoods.

Prisat noted a troubling inconsistency: the Commerce Ministry's initial statement claimed the durians shown were not grade A but a lower premium category, yet when reviewing Pimrypai's livestream, the influencer and the minister both used the terms "premium grade" and "grade A meat," and the durians looked like top-tier fruit. "If we're being honest, someone isn't telling the truth," Prisat stated. "The Commerce Ministry says it's a lower grade, but the influencer clearly says premium or grade A. So I'm asking the ministry to clarify who's being truthful."

On the morning of April 28, the Commerce Ministry issued a new statement claiming it had no involvement in selecting which products appeared in the livestream—essentially saying it didn't know what was being sold. This contradicts the ministry's prior claim about lower grades, and Prisat questioned how the minister could claim ignorance when she was visible on camera hearing the product descriptions and pricing.

Prisat urged Deputy PM Supachee not only to stream this evening but also to make herself available for parliamentary questioning, as this matter will likely feature in upcoming debates. He noted that while using influencers isn't inherently wrong, there are concerns about pricing transparency and whether this approach will actually solve long-term agricultural challenges. Each crop, he argued, requires tailored solutions rather than one-size-fits-all strategies.

Two Chinese nationals accused of robbing a gold shop in Chokchai District, Nakhon Ratchasima, are being held for intensive interrogation with plans to file charges this afternoon. According to the April 27 incident, two men wearing black hoodies smashed multiple glass display cases and made off with approximately 30 gold rings valued at around 300,000 baht, escaping in a white Toyota Yaris.

On April 28, Deputy Superintendent Prachaya Nimala of Chokchai Police Station and Deputy Station Commander Asdech Patwimlsilp took custody of suspects Zou Qintao, 27, and Song Haolong, 19, for separate interrogations with a Chinese interpreter present. Both suspects appeared visibly tense, with formal charges to be filed later in the day.

Police recovered 44 patterned gold rings weighing 156.9 grams and 24 pairs of gold earrings (44 pieces) weighing 119 grams, valued at 700,000-800,000 baht. The suspects face charges of armed robbery with weapon use, property damage, and vehicle use in commission of a crime.

During initial investigation, both suspects claimed they were recruited via the internet to come to Thailand to repair drones, with promised wages of 40,000 US dollars per unit (approximately 1,300,000 baht). They rented a vehicle and followed GPS coordinates provided. However, upon reaching the Cambodia border area, they became frightened and did not proceed. After their funds depleted to just 20 baht, they decided to commit the gold shop robbery to raise money. The suspects admitted to selling some gold for 16,800 baht.

Background checks revealed the suspects attempted an earlier robbery at a gold shop in Ban Lueam District on April 26, with one suspect captured on CCTV footage at a convenience store, though that robbery did not occur.

Surasak Jirawongpaisarn, 74, the gold shop owner, thanked police for the swift apprehension and expressed more concern about recovering the gold than the suspects' nationality. Staff remain shaken but he emphasized the need for increased security measures going forward.