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.

By royal decree, a total of 313,602 individuals have been granted royal decorations, including the White Elephant Order and the Thai Crown Order, below the rank of sash honors. These honors were bestowed on the occasion of the birthday celebration on July 28, 2568, with all recipient names listed in the proclamation. The announcement was issued on April 23, 2569, during the 11th year of the current reign. A complete list of all 313,602 recipients is available for public verification.

At 9:40 AM on April 28, 2025 at Government House, Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthummaphan addressed the durian drama, emphasizing that this year's production is 33% higher than last year at over 2 million tons. She stressed the need for aggressive marketing strategy to prevent price crashes, noting that addressing the problem only at the end stage would be ineffective.

She outlined a dual-track approach: international markets through the Department of International Trade Promotion, focusing on eastern markets while expanding western ones; and domestic markets through multiple channels including modern retail and live commerce platforms. The strategy involves collaborating with multiple influencers to deliver products directly to consumers. On April 25, she visited Chanthaburi province to promote the initiative and observe orchard production firsthand with influencer participation.

Regarding the PrimePie live-stream promotion of one million durians at 100 baht each on April 28, Suphajee clarified this is PrimePie's promotional technique with specific conditions to be announced, unrelated to the Commerce Ministry's oversight role. She confirmed all farmers receive equal treatment with prices following market mechanisms, not government subsidies.

When asked if the controversy stemmed from unclear communication, she stated the issue belongs to PrimePie's pricing announcement. The Commerce Ministry focuses on quality and price monitoring. She urged the public to wait for the full promotion details, noting the intense public interest and government scrutiny makes fraudulent practices unlikely.

Suphajee emphasized that visiting orchards boosts farmer morale and educates about live-streaming capabilities, enabling direct farm-to-consumer product distribution. Regarding opposition claims of overcapplying support, she explained the government implemented a marketing plan following market mechanisms for at least three months. Since this year's supply is high, traditional marketing alone would fail; therefore marketing lower-grade quality durians, which remain good quality, becomes necessary.

Concerning upstream problem-solving, she told parliament yesterday that long-term solutions extend beyond market mechanisms to include product processing. Processing helps manage excess production, reduce price drops, and improve quality standards. Marketing strategy thus focuses not solely on fresh fruit sales.

Suphajee added that the Commerce Ministry similarly manages marketing plans for other fruits like mangosteen and rambutan.

Srinakharinwirot University (SWU) announced its full readiness to host the 42nd Thai University Personnel Sports Games, officially known as "SWU Games," scheduled for May 27 to June 4, 2026, at its Ongkharak campus in Nakhon Nayok province. The event will bring together 65 institutions with approximately 8,000 athletes competing across 18 sports disciplines and one demonstration sport for a total of 472 medals. Organized under the theme "Health & Happiness," the games aim to foster camaraderie and promote both physical and mental wellness among university personnel nationwide.

University President Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chaloewit Jeerjit expressed confidence in SWU's capability to host the event, citing the university's over 50-year legacy of producing quality personnel in physical education, health education, recreation, sports science, and public health. He emphasized that the university has comprehensive preparations across all areas including personnel management, athlete accommodations, facilities, health services, and transportation for the massive gathering.

The competition will include 15 internationally recognized sports (football, futsal, volleyball, swimming, tennis, table tennis, badminton, golf, track and field, pétanque, sepak takraw, aerobic dance, esports, basketball, and woodball), two traditional Thai sports (takraw and Thai chess), one fitness sport (aerobics), and one demonstration sport (cornhole) chosen by the host. All competitions will take place at SWU's Ongkharak facilities during May. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chusit Pradabpetch, chairman of the Thai Universities Sports Committee, underscored that the personnel sports games represent an important platform for promoting unity and well-being across Thailand's higher education sector.

At 9:45 a.m. on April 28 at Parliament, Priset Wachrasindu, a People's Party list MP, commented on reports that the party would field Chaiwat Sathawarawichit, also known as "Dr. Joe," as its Bangkok governor candidate. Priset stated that the People's Party has already announced it will unveil its Bangkok governor candidate and 50 Bangkok Metropolitan Assembly candidates at 5 p.m. on May 5, though he could not confirm the candidate's identity before the official announcement.

When asked whether two months of campaigning would be sufficient, Priset said the party has been continuously preparing Bangkok's campaign, not just beginning preparations for the May 5 announcement. The party has already revealed preliminary candidate names and is gathering public feedback through its website on candidate suitability. Policy proposals are also being continuously developed.

Priset emphasized that solving Bangkok's problems requires multiple parallel mechanisms. The party has already prepared policies for both the governor candidate and Bangkok Metropolitan Assembly candidates, which will be detailed during the May 5 launch.

The People's Party MPs have prioritized pushing for amendments to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Act, as the 1985 law significantly limits elected governors' power to address Bangkok's problems such as traffic and flooding. The party previously submitted draft amendments and presented them to the current assembly for modernized management structures and more effective problem-solving.

When asked about the party's confidence given that some major parties might not field candidates, Priset said the focus should not be on which parties participate, but on the party providing the most complete and thorough proposals so Bangkok residents will trust that supporting the People's Party in Bangkok would improve their quality of life.

Regarding the selection criteria and thorough vetting to prevent past controversies, Priset said the party takes multiple factors seriously in candidate selection, including vision and policy alignment. The party considers how well candidates can cooperate with all party sectors and Bangkok Metropolitan Assembly colleagues.

Priset confirmed the party is strict about candidate qualifications, screening, and verification.

This year is turning out great both professionally and romantically for young actor Fay Phattharit Eaksaengkul. Recently, he appeared at Chang Cold Brew Cool Club's announcement of their new "Chill Everyday – Afterwork" campaign communication strategy, where he updated fans on his new office space and his relationship with non-industry girlfriend Earn Arisa, which became public earlier this year.

When asked if his office looked luxurious, Fay downplayed it: "My office isn't fancy at all. Nothing fancy." Clarifying further, he explained: "I'd say it's just decent. I have to thank clients who still reach out and give me opportunities. But our office really isn't luxurious—we don't use expensive things at all."

Regarding the office budget, Fay revealed: "I asked for free items and sponsorships only, because we don't have the money. It was actually a house, and we just fixed up the deteriorated parts to make it functional again. Nothing fancy about it."

He emphasized he's not trying to spend extravagantly: "I focus more on the quality of work that comes out. I only spend on what's necessary—equipment, office space—and importantly, good chairs for the employees. Those are essential."

Fay's team has grown to 12 employees, which he considers significant growth. However, he prefers to keep the company compact rather than expanding rapidly: "I want it to stay compact. I don't want it to get too big because then I can't manage everything properly. If there's potential in the future, we might expand, but I prefer growing gradually. I'm worried that if we grow too fast, things might spiral out of control."

When asked if industry friends have invested or joined, he clarified: "No, we just work together normally. No one has asked to co-invest or anything extra. We do our own thing."

On his new vehicle, Fay explained: "I bought the new car because I couldn't handle driving myself anymore. In a day, I work at 4-5 different locations. Having a new car and a driver saves me a lot of time and stress on the road. Driving myself was stressful."

With the new arrangement, his work has become smoother: "It's better. I get more rest time in the car and can even hold meetings while driving."

Regarding whether this is a reward for his hard work, Fay said: "It's both a reward and a tool to make my work more efficient. Before, when people called about work while I was driving, I couldn't focus. Now I can work all the time."

He clarified the vehicle won't replace his old jeep for adventure trips: "This is a van, so I can't take it on rough trips. For those, I'll still use my old jeep."

Fay acknowledged his life has changed significantly: "It's changed quite a bit. Opportunities come with work and stress. I need to manage it well because there's a lot more work now."

On whether he's raised his rates with his increased prominence, Fay said: "I think it's appropriate. I haven't bumped it sky-high. I'm keeping it suitable to where I am right now."

Asked if his life feels complete with both career and romance, he replied thoughtfully: "It's a good angle that the media sees. But people aren't good in every aspect. There are always tough and bad moments—that's normal."

When stressed, he gets support from his girlfriend: "We talk normally. She helps me keep balanced so I'm not stressed alone. She shares the burden and listens when I need to vent."

On whether his girlfriend has the same chill lifestyle, Fay said: "Yes, she's pretty chill. She's not the needy type at all."

Asked if he's taken her on any of his rough adventure trips, he replied: "Not yet. I've tried inviting her, but it seems like it might be too much for her. I don't want to put her through that. There are limits.