The Ministry of Commerce through the Business Development Department reported successful results from the 'Thais Helping Thais' initiative, which has provided relief to citizens' cost of living burdens and stimulated grassroots economic growth. On April 27, 2025, Poonpong Naiyanaphakorn, Director-General of the Business Development Department under the Ministry of Commerce, revealed that amid the energy crisis affecting current economic conditions, managing the cost of living burden has become a priority for the government.

One of the concrete and clearly effective mechanisms is the distribution of 'Thais Helping Thais' products, with the Commerce Ministry focusing on expanding channels for citizens to access quality products at affordable prices. The products have been distributed through two important phases covering all access channels for the public as follows:

Phase 1 involved partnering with Modern Trade retailers beginning April 1, 2025. The ministry coordinated with major department stores and modern retail chains including TOPs, BigC, Lotus's, Makro, and Go Wholesale to offer essential consumer goods at special discounted prices. The focus was on accessible sales points with large stock quantities to create widespread price reduction momentum from day one. Simultaneously, the initiative expanded to local wholesale and retail shops nationwide, ensuring that regional consumers could access affordable products without traveling far.

The program also penetrated the online market to match current digital shopping behaviors through partnerships with leading e-commerce platforms and delivery services including GrabMart, Lineman, TikTok, Shopee, and Lazada. Promotional campaigns on mobile applications included discount coupons and free shipping offers, resulting in increased sales of 'Thais Helping Thais' products across all online channels.

The latest expansion involved partnering with the Department of Local Administration under the Interior Ministry to establish 'Thais Helping Thais' sales points at district offices nationwide, creating grassroots distribution centers. Vulnerable groups and residents in all areas can benefit from the government's cost-of-living relief measures to the maximum. Sales began on Friday, May 1, 2025, continuing every Friday in May (1, 8, 15, 22, 29).

Phase 2 involves promoting products from capable SME entrepreneurs on online platforms, piloting with 2,000 entrepreneurs to expand sales channels and stimulate grassroots economy. The ministry provides free shipping and 100-baht discount coupons totaling 500,000 units, while online platforms waive their GP fees. This phase begins in May.

This approach not only provides short-term relief from cost of living burdens but also serves as a cooperation mechanism between the public and private sectors to strengthen Thailand's economic system while establishing foundations for stable and sustainable long-term growth.

Currently, 'Thais Helping Thais' has become an important model integrating cooperation among government, private sector, and local communities. It not only reduces expenses and cost of living for citizens but also creates commercial opportunities for Thai SME producers to grow alongside this collaborative effort.

At 9:50 a.m. on April 2, 2025, Bannapot Damapong, the brother-in-law of Pajamarn Na Pompetch, visited former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra at Klongprem Central Prison on Ngamwongwan Road as a family representative. This marked the 59th visit, accompanied by lawyer Vinyatthy Chatimonthri. Thaksin has been incarcerated for seven months and 18 days.

Red-shirt supporters continue to visit for moral support, with weekly rally sessions held outside the prison featuring rotating red-shirt leaders speaking. Former Thai for Thai Party MP Khor Kaew Pichulthong brought 200 government lottery tickets to distribute to supporters attending the activities.

All activities will continue until Monday, May 11, 2025, when Thaksin is scheduled for conditional parole release after having served two-thirds (eight months) of his one-year sentence, qualifying him for standard parole. When Bannapot arrived, he greeted media and red-shirt supporters without giving interviews.

After a 15-minute visit at 10:10 a.m., Bannapot briefly stated that Thaksin gave his approval, referring media to lawyer Vinyatthy for further details.

Vinyatthy revealed that after April 23, Thaksin's children and grandchildren visited him closely, embracing and receiving blessings. The family expressed great joy at their reunion after months of separation, thanking Klongprem Central Prison for facilitating this. April 23 marked the final close family visitation before parole.

Regarding health, Vinyatthy confirmed Thaksin remains in normal condition with chronic conditions but no concerning symptoms or coma-like state. Thaksin takes regular medication and maintains good mental health through self-care.

Concerning the parole process, the Corrections Department-level parole committee has already approved Thaksin's qualification for standard parole. The final stage is the Justice Ministry-level parole committee meeting on April 29. Vinyatthy requested the committee consider Thaksin fairly according to criteria and facts, expressing hope for approval while acknowledging everyone's concerns, noting there are approximately 500 other inmates nationwide.

When asked about Thaksin's conditional residence location, Vinyatthy confirmed it remains Chan Song Hlai House, which will serve as his residence during conditional parole if approved.

Regarding reports that Thaksin may not require an EM monitoring bracelet due to being over 70 years old, Vinyatthy stated he was uncertain and suggested waiting for the official decision.

NAKHON RATCHASIMA — Social media users have shared a video showing two teenagers lighting a fire near a bamboo grove, prompting concerns it could spread uncontrollably in dry conditions.

A local Facebook page posted the clip with a caption stating that two youths were seen starting a fire near Saphan 1 Market in Sikhio subdistrict, Sikhio district. The area is close to dry bamboo, which can act as highly flammable fuel, raising the risk of a wider blaze. The purpose of the fire remains unclear, and authorities have been urged to investigate and monitor the situation. Residents were also asked to report similar incidents immediately.

The footage was recorded in the early evening of April 26. It shows two teenagers, one wearing a blue shirt and white shorts, the other a patterned shirt with black trousers, crouching as they build a fire beside a large bamboo cluster. Smoke can be seen spreading into the surrounding area.

Although the location resembles a wooded community area without nearby homes, passers-by expressed concern that the fire could spread quickly due to the dry season. The ground is covered with fallen bamboo leaves, twigs and other dry debris, which could fuel a fast-moving fire that may be difficult to control.

Online users also questioned the teenagers' intentions, with some speculating they may have been using smoke to drive out bees, catch insects or grill fish.

However, provincial authorities in Nakhon Ratchasima have enforced a strict no-burning policy. The Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office announced on November 5, 2025 a ban on all burning from late winter 2025 through summer 2026 to tackle haze and PM2.5 pollution.

The ban, covering all 32 districts, applies to forests, agricultural land, roadsides and community areas, particularly during the dry season from January to April. Officials, including local administrators, police and community leaders, have been instructed to strictly enforce the law. Any burning must be stopped immediately, and violators will face legal action. The order remains in effect until May 31, 2026.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives is implementing proactive measures, ordering the Royal Irrigation Department and the Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation Division to execute the four-pronged strategy of 'water storage, water replenishment, crop adjustment, and monitoring' in response to Super El Niño.

Agriculture Minister Suriya Jungsrungkij revealed that the Super El Niño phenomenon is causing extreme heat and rainfall well below normal levels, which could inflict widespread damage to agricultural areas nationwide this year. The ministry has prepared four strategic responses using the 'water storage, water replenishment, crop adjustment, and monitoring' approach to minimize farmer impacts. All affiliated agencies have been ordered to implement these urgent strategies:

1) Water Management: The Royal Irrigation Department will strictly manage water in major dams, prioritizing domestic consumption and planning water distribution through canal systems to all agricultural areas awaiting harvest.

2) Rainmaking Operations: The Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation Division will establish rapid mobile units in drought-prone areas to replenish reservoirs and create moisture for forests and farmland whenever weather permits.

3) Crop Substitution: The ministry will promote high-value, low-water crops, encouraging farmers to shift to short-season crops requiring less water with existing market support to reduce crop failure risks.

4) Early Warning and Relief: An agricultural disaster monitoring center will track and address problems.

Permanent Secretary Winayaroj Sapsongsuk stated that all agencies are ready to implement the directives and have established special task forces to closely monitor the situation, particularly El Niño's impact which may cause drought and irregular rainfall patterns.

The ministry is also launching public campaigns to prepare farmers and mobilizing volunteers from agriculture agencies to assist implementation and awareness. Support includes a 'One Stop Service' through the Pirunraj Agricultural Service Center application. Agencies will integrate weather and water data with meteorological and irrigation departments to efficiently manage water during El Niño, while advisory teams will guide farmers in adjusting planting plans to reduce crop loss risks. Emergency relief measures are being prepared for affected areas to maintain farmer incomes and livelihoods through the crisis.

Police arrested a former government official accused of deceiving 17 contracting companies through a fake "Divine Project" scheme totaling 358 million baht in fraudulent contracts. The investigation revealed that beginning in March 2568, the suspect approached major contracting firms claiming to offer two abandoned projects—a solar energy system and an EV charging station installation project valued at over 32 million baht—offering to act as a broker for a 6 million baht fee.

The suspect arranged meetings at offices where he impersonated a government official using a uniform and forged official documents. He presented fraudulent contracts for the victims to sign, claiming they had already been approved by senior executives. When victims saw signatures and official stamps, they transferred the 6 million baht fee. As victims began work and prepared to claim additional funds of 3.5 million baht, they discovered the QR code linking to a simple Google homepage. Further investigation revealed the projects didn't exist, contracts were entirely fabricated, and executives had never approved anything.

The investigation uncovered this was not an isolated incident. The gang used forged agency names and seals to defraud 17 companies and partnerships with fraudulent contracts totaling over 358 million baht. Officers obtained an arrest warrant and apprehended the suspect in Rayong province. During questioning, the suspect denied all charges and was transferred to the Anti-Corruption and Misconduct Court for further legal proceedings.