At 10 a.m. on April 29, 2025, at Parliament, Weerayut Kanjanapuchatra, a Pheu Thai party list MP and deputy party leader, presented the results of a shadow cabinet meeting regarding the urgent electricity price issue. He stated that the government must not address the high electricity problem with temporary, patchwork solutions that simply pass the burden back to the public. Instead, he proposed that the government should boldly pursue negotiations to reduce costs including capacity charges, while dismantling restrictions on purchasing electricity from the private renewable energy sector.

Weerayut criticized the current approach as merely addressing symptoms rather than solving the real problem, noting that policy direction remains unclear. He pointed out that Energy Minister Eknath Promphan speaks about the issue frequently, yet cabinet measures lack clarity, particularly regarding electricity consumption exceeding 400 units. Further discussions are expected at the National Energy Policy Committee meeting.

Weerayut emphasized that the government should not view people consuming over 400 units as wasteful, as many households with large occupancy require such consumption out of necessity. During an energy crisis of this magnitude, no one is truly wasteful, he argued.

Another significant group affected includes small and medium enterprises (SMEs) operating from homes, he noted. Many Thai SMEs use the ground floor for business and the upper floor for residential purposes, resulting in electricity usage exceeding thresholds. This increases operational costs and compounds the burden on SMEs already facing declining purchasing power and rising expenses.

Weerayut called on the government to approach the problem correctly by not forcing citizens to manage the burden themselves. Instead, the government must have the courage to actively reduce electricity rates and negotiate the crucial capacity charges that drive costs. He stated that only through such bold action can it be clear that the government truly prioritizes the public interest.

Regarding solar panel installation, Weerayut noted that while many affluent households and businesses have already installed systems, new installations can cost hundreds of thousands of baht. He argued that low-interest credit alone is insufficient incentive. While transitioning to clean energy is worthwhile, actual installation costs must be seriously considered.

The National Energy Policy Committee has passed two key resolutions to reduce electricity rates. On April 29, 2025, Energy Minister Eknath Proamphant and Industry Minister Weerawut Silpaacha announced the committee's decisions at Government House.

The first resolution promotes solar rooftop installation by streamlining installation procedures and reducing approval steps. Excess electricity generated will be purchased back at 2.20 baht per unit, with buyback sales beginning after June 2025. The second resolution approves new electricity rates for residential households. For the first 200 units, consumers will pay no more than 3 baht per unit. Households consuming between 200 and 500 units will use a progressive rate structure calculated as an average, resulting in lower overall bills. Those consuming no more than 500 units monthly, or paying no more than 2,200 baht per month, will benefit from the rate reduction.

More than 90 percent of Thailand's 21 million households will benefit from this policy. The Energy Ministry is coordinating with the Finance Ministry to provide loan financing for solar installations at rates lower than electricity costs. The government is also tasking the Provincial Electricity Authority and Metropolitan Electricity Authority with offering affordable solar installation services for those without upfront capital.

For installations intended for personal use only, completion is required within 7 days. For installations with electricity sell-back agreements, completion must occur within 30 days. The committee immediately approved increasing the electricity purchase capacity by 500 megawatts, with further expansion if that capacity is reached. Minister Proamphant confirmed this electricity rate will remain in effect through the end of the current government's term.

The Department of Intellectual Property is hosting a training program titled 'GI Next Generation: Opening GI Markets and Creating Opportunities in China and Japan' to equip a new generation of GI entrepreneurs to penetrate the Chinese and Japanese markets.

Deputy Director-General Wiroj Jongklawanichsuk of the Department of Intellectual Property stated that he has been assigned by Director-General Ormun Sraptaweedham to chair the opening of the 'GI Next Generation' training program, which aims to open geographical indication (GI) product markets and create opportunities in China and Japan.

This represents another proactive initiative of the department aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of Thai GI entrepreneurs in global markets. The program focuses on enhancing knowledge in marketing, product standards, and exporting GI products to target markets.

Under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachai Sutheerathampun, the initiative emphasizes strengthening SMEs and communities by leveraging GI as a mechanism for community economic development. This is paired with aggressive marketing promotion both domestically and internationally to increase trade opportunities and improve the competitiveness of Thai products over the long term.

The effort also aims to increase the value of agricultural products through elevating GI products, which are predominantly agricultural goods and processed agricultural products with high quality, connection to their origin, and distinctive local identity that is difficult to imitate. These characteristics encourage consumers to pay premium prices for the added value and differentiation of these products.

Wiroj Jongklawanichsuk stated that China and Japan are promising target markets with high consumer purchasing power and strong emphasis on product quality and product storytelling, which aligns perfectly with the strengths of GI products. This presents an excellent opportunity to leverage these competitive advantages to add value and propel Thai GI products into global markets sustainably.

For this training session, the department has invited expert lecturers to share knowledge and experience covering product standard preparation, important trade requirements and regulations, international shipping, opportunities and trends in premium markets, marketing strategy planning, and online sales channels. The training will include over 50 GI entrepreneurs from across the country, enabling them to apply this knowledge effectively in business development and market expansion. This will help elevate Thai GI products to compete competitively in international markets.

The GI Next Generation training also plays an important role in building cooperation networks among GI entrepreneurs nationwide, strengthening their business operations, and driving Thai GI products toward sustainable global market competitiveness.

The department will continue promoting and developing GI products by emphasizing quality control and upstream production to maintain Thai GI products' standards and distinctive local identity as key competitive advantages. This will build confidence among both domestic and international consumers, serving as the foundation for elevating GI products to premium market levels.

Currently, Thailand has 256 GI products generating a market value exceeding 115,979 million baht. Of these, 212 products have established quality control systems, representing 82.8% of all Thai GI products.

There are 17,983 entrepreneurs operating through systems that meet quality standards and are authorized to use the Thai GI trademark, reflecting the strength of Thailand's GI product development and protection system and its potential for long-term expansion into international markets.

CHIANG MAI — Immigration police in Chiang Mai have arrested a British national for overstaying his visa, according to officials.

Pol. Col. Phitthakphong Charoenkul, superintendent of Chiang Mai Immigration, and Pol. Lt. Col. Nattaphon Chumbuatong, deputy superintendent, stated that an investigation team has been assigned to locate foreign nationals who are violating immigration laws or committing other offences.

On 28 April 2026, immigration investigators working with officers from Immigration Division 5 conducted an inspection in an area along Samlan Road in Phra Sing subdistrict, Mueang district, following a public tip-off about an illegal foreign resident.

Authorities arrested a British man and charged him with "being a foreign national staying in the Kingdom after permission had expired". He was informed of the charges and his legal rights before being transferred to Mueang Chiang Mai Police Station for further proceedings.

The suspect admitted he had entered Thailand under the visa exemption scheme, which permits nationals from 93 countries and territories to stay up to 60 days per visit to facilitate tourism and short-term business activities. He acknowledged failing to leave the country or apply for a visa extension before his permitted stay expired.

This week's episode of 'Hit Song Duel: Secondary Power' on Channel 7HD (1:30 PM) features a singing competition centered on Potato's feel-good pop-rock song 'Love You Every Day.' Hosted by Thone-Thanakorn Sribunbodee and On-Akkrawat Chumpulvivat, the show brings together accomplished judges Jingkhridkhao Wongtevanyai, Liu-Achariya, and Phumi-Kiatphumi who not only judge the competition but also provide intensive coaching and share their professional experience as singers and actors. Before the main competition, students from Satthasomud School will perform a puppet show to warm up the audience. Three competitors—Pipoo, Mongkhon, and Otoh—will then face off in an intense battle, each bringing their own unique style to the challenge. To win the championship and trophy, performers must showcase their singing ability, stage presence, and charm while captivating the judges and audience. Don't miss Wednesday, April 29 at 1:30 PM on Channel 7HD (digital channel 35). Follow the show on Facebook (Ch7HD and Ch7HD Entertainment), stream live on BUGABOO.TV, and stay connected through Ch7HD's social media channels and website at www.ch7.com.

Lady Praang Praang Kanyaniran recently had a bittersweet birthday. Although her boyfriend Ob Obniti couldn't join her celebration in Japan this year, he made up for it immediately upon her return to Thailand with a surprise visit.

On April 28, Lady Praang attended the premiere of "The Devil Wears Prada 2" at Siam Paragon and shared details about her birthday experience. She spent the day in Japan wearing red, which was the first birthday without Ob by her side. "He wanted to come, but flight tickets were incredibly expensive," she laughed. "It's actually related to fuel costs. The high prices affected so many things, including our relationship." She joked that she had no boyfriend on her birthday, though Ob was devastated he couldn't make the trip.

When Ob couldn't come, he kept in touch through video calls. But Lady Praang playfully pretended she missed him greatly to gauge his reaction. "I was watching his behavior every day, but he seemed fine," she said. "I wanted him to be miserable too since I was suffering."

Ultimately, Ob revealed his plan: he'd been baking a cake from scratch and even made a handmade rabbit figurine with his parents' help. When Lady Praang arrived home and opened the door, she immediately saw him waiting with the cake. "When I saw him, I was so happy. He told me to understand why this special effort was necessary. He made the cake until he was exhausted, so I forgave him for not being there," she laughed.

On keeping the romance alive, Lady Praang shared that what matters most to her is Ob's compliments. "When he tells me I'm beautiful, that's real beauty to me. I only believe him. No one else's words matter as much," she said. She admitted she doesn't compliment him much, worried it might make him suspicious of her motives.