Thunakaert Chanchum, manager of the National Sports Development Fund, announced preparations to compile feedback from all stakeholders regarding direct allowance transfers to athletes following the National Youth Games.

The initiative addresses ongoing issues with delayed athlete payments under the previous system. The National Sports Development Fund has begun testing a new payment distribution model by transferring allowances directly to athletes, starting with the 6th Asian Beach Games in China in April and the 41st National Youth Games in Suratthani Province between May 7-17. The new approach has received both support and opposition.

Chanchum revealed that 99 percent of athletes are highly satisfied with the direct transfer arrangement, as the previous problem involved payment delays caused by the multi-step system. This year's approach transfers funds directly to sports associations and athletes. For the Asian Beach Games, disbursements reached 100 percent. Among provincial sports associations representing roughly 13,000 people, 60-70 percent received their allocations in the first round. The remaining recipients faced minor issues such as unfamiliarity with online systems, incomplete documentation, or lack of association chairman approval—matters requiring further clarification.

Chanchum noted that other management aspects still raise questions. Some coaches face difficulties receiving transfers due to various factors including system verification problems, incorrect data entry preventing approval, or young athletes unable to open bank accounts due to banking restrictions. Some prefer the previous system of payments through sports associations.

When asked whether direct transfers would continue for the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan from September 19 to October 4, the fund manager stated: "Ultimately, we need to reconsider the purpose and intent of allowances—who they're for and who should receive them, and what the benefits and drawbacks are. We're currently reviewing this matter and will present a comprehensive summary to the fund's board of directors by the end of May following the National Youth Games."

If you're searching for authentic seafood dining in Trat Province, don't miss 'Guan Seng 2 Restaurant,' located in Mai Rood Subdistrict, Khlong Yai District, Trat Province.

The restaurant has earned widespread recognition for its fresh seafood flavors and delectable menu that keeps customers returning without fail.

Signature dishes to order include soft shell crab curry powder—crispy crab tossed in rich curry powder with aromatic Thai spices and fresh sweetness that pairs perfectly with hot rice. Next is baked shrimp with agar noodles—plump shrimp with firm meat baked to perfection, the agar noodles absorbing the concentrated sauce for a balanced, authentic seafood taste that makes you want to order more immediately.

Those who love bold flavors should try the spicy seafood stir-fry, combining fish, squid, and shrimp with concentrated curry paste, perfectly balanced heat, and the aromatic notes of white pepper and Thai herbs that keep you coming back for another bite.

Another standout for those who prefer fresh flavors is the grilled seabass with herbs—large seabass grilled until the skin crisps, wrapped with fresh vegetables and condiments, drizzled with balanced herb sauce. This dish is both delicious and healthy, suitable for all ages.

Beyond these, there are many recommended dishes including black pepper soft shell crab, fish sauce-marinated shrimp, three-flavor mango seeds, lemongrass shrimp salad, crispy fish with chili, fish sauce-fried fish, fish stir-fried with garlic greens, steamed seabass with soy sauce, spicy seafood stir-fry, clear and rich seafood soup, fresh shrimp lemongrass salad, salt-baked shrimp, battered fried shrimp, roasted chili squid, squid with salty egg, fried chicken wings, garlic fried pork, kale stir-fry with salted fish, morning glory stir-fry, and herbed tofu.

Guan Seng 2 excels not just in taste but also in atmosphere—warm and welcoming with smiling staff, making every meal a memorable experience.

Open daily from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM for those wanting to enjoy meals anytime. Interested diners can contact or reserve a table at 08-1945-9855.

Rest assured that every dish you order will impress you from the first bite to the last.

Mangrove forests that once flourished are now fading into memory for coastal communities, especially in Tha Chalom, Bang Yai, and Mahachai districts of Samut Sakhon Province, where residents grew up surrounded by lush green mangrove walls protecting canals and shorelines like natural barriers. Mangroves were never just plants but essential to the way of life—serving as food sources, homes, and cultivating deep bonds in people's hearts.

For older generations, mangrove trees represented everything. Their leaves covered roofs of houses, boat sheds, and temporary shelters due to their excellent resistance to sun and rain. Trunks and stems were crafted into basketware like mats, baskets, and rope. As food, tender mangrove shoots—called "homyai"—were natural sweets children looked forward to. Leaves were also used to wrap traditional sweets and sticky rice, while nectar from mangrove flowers was boiled into mangrove sugar or fermented into traditional beverages.

"When I was a child, adults would go into the mangrove forest and cut shoots to place in front of us children sitting in a circle. We'd scrape and eat them with spoons while they'd gather piles of mangroves. This happened regularly, and the memory stays with me," recalls Tukata Darunee, a native of Samut Sakhon Province. Simple as the image of children sitting in a circle eating mangrove shoots may seem, it reflects the profound relationship between people and nature. Mangrove forests weren't merely resources but learning spaces, places to live, and venues for passing bonds from generation to generation.

Today, extensive mangrove areas have been converted to residential developments, factories, or abandoned due to rising land taxes. Many landowners have been forced to sell or transform their land into alternative agricultural uses. Mangrove forests have steadily declined year after year, transforming from continuous green expanse into scattered patches.

"Two years ago when Tung Saengdawan filmed at Mahachai mangroves, I estimated only 50% of the original forest remained. Today, I believe it's down to just 20%," says Kim Jirapun, vice chairman of the Betta Fish Association, with evident concern. "We're not just worried about disappearing local resources, but local wildlife species face extinction too, like the Mahachai wild betta fish that depend on mangrove forests to survive."

Mangrove forests are more than human habitats—they're critical ecosystems for aquatic animals and countless species, especially the Mahachai wild betta fish that depend on brackish water beneath mangrove shade for survival. If mangroves disappear, these creatures cannot survive.

The loss of mangrove forests represents more than vanishing greenery; it's the simultaneous loss of culture, lifestyle, and biodiversity.

Samut Sakhon Governor Orders Temporary Closure of Tilapia Canning Factory Until Factory Standards Are Improved. Supamas Emphasizes Labels Must Match Products for Consumer Fairness.

On May 7, 2025, Deputy Prime Minister Supamas Iamphakdi revealed the latest developments in the mismatched canned fish labeling case following an inspection of a tilapia canning factory in Mueang Samut Sakhon District, Samut Sakhon Province, conducted jointly with relevant agencies on May 6.

Deputy Prime Minister Supamas Iamphakdi

The latest report from Amnat Charoenri, Governor of Samut Sakhon Province, indicates that provincial industrial office inspections found the factory's wastewater treatment system failed to meet required standards, prompting an immediate temporary operational shutdown order. The company must correct its production facility to comply with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) criteria and standards.

Additionally, the operator faces violations for substituting a different fish species for mackerel as indicated on the label, constituting fraudulent food production under the Food Act B.E. 2522, carrying penalties of 6 months to 10 years imprisonment and fines ranging from 5,000 to 100,000 baht. Improper labeling that misleads consumers regarding essential product information carries fines up to 30,000 baht.

Once the operator corrects the facility and production processes to meet standards, a follow-up inspection will occur until quality benchmarks are achieved, after which the factory may resume operations.

"As previously reported, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul prioritizes consumer protection and has closely monitored this case. The Samut Sakhon Governor's actions reflect integrated coordination between central and regional authorities in restoring consumer justice and sending a clear signal to other businesses that the government will not tolerate consumer exploitation under any circumstances," Supamas stated.

However, the government aims to balance consumer protection with providing businesses opportunities for improvement. I have directed all provincial Consumer Protection offices to inspect food production facilities and consumer goods to prevent similar incidents from recurring.

Consumers who suffered losses from purchasing defective products or services may file complaints at the Consumer Protection hotline 1166, the OCPB Connect application, website ocpb.go.th, or provincial Justice Centers. For food and drug complaints, contact the FDA hotline 1556.

On May 7, 2026, Deputy Commander Akrapol Rit-Luean of Division 32 and Company Commander Wuttipong Suphawarn of Unit 326 assigned Lieutenant Colonel Chirapt Intasan to lead an investigation team into Pha Chang Noi Subdistrict, Pong District, Phayao Province, following reports of illegal drug dealing in the area.

When officers arrived and attempted to question a man in front of his home, he immediately became agitated and fled toward the back of the house, disappearing into the steep forest terrain. Despite officers' pursuit, the man used his knowledge of the local area to escape.

Officers then entered the house and found a young woman claiming to be the escaped man's wife. With community leaders present as witnesses, police conducted a lawful search and discovered two large bundles containing approximately 4,040 methamphetamine pills, plus 294 additional pills in separate bags, totaling 4,334 pills. They also found a homemade shotgun and several rounds of ammunition.

Initially, the woman denied ownership, claiming all drugs and weapons belonged to her fleeing husband. However, based on witness statements and evidence of possession within the shared residence, police charged her with drug trafficking for sale and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. She is currently in custody pending further investigation. Authorities are working to compile evidence and obtain a court-issued arrest warrant for the missing husband.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Thursday sought to reassure the public ahead of his meeting with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on the sidelines of the 48th ASEAN Summit in the Philippines, insisting there would be no bilateral discussions between the two leaders.

Speaking before departing from Wing 6 at Don Mueang military airport for Cebu, Philippines, where the summit is being held from 7-9 May, Anutin said Thailand would use the regional forum to present its position and inform ASEAN members about the situation and policies regarding Thailand's handling of issues with Cambodia.

"We are not going there for sightseeing or simply to meet leaders out of courtesy," Anutin said. "We are going there to work, negotiate and present Thailand's position."

Asked about the possibility of meeting Hun Manet, the Thai premier said the two leaders would inevitably meet during summit activities later in the day, but stressed that there would be no one-on-one bilateral talks.

"It will not be a two-person meeting," he said, noting that the Philippines, as ASEAN chair, would likely arrange opportunities for leaders to meet in a multilateral setting.

Anutin urged the public not to be concerned, saying his government would continue to adhere to principles protecting Thailand's sovereignty and national interests.

"Any discussion or negotiation must be beneficial to Thailand and must uphold Thai sovereignty above all else," he said. "This must be in the interest of the Thai people. There is no need to worry."

The remarks come amid heightened tensions between Thailand and Cambodia following disputes over maritime issues and Bangkok's recent decision to cancel the 2001 memorandum of understanding with Cambodia.