On April 28, 2025, the Po Teck Tung Foundation, led by Surapong Techa-Ruenvijit, Vice Secretary-General and Board Member, held a ceremony to distribute occupational equipment to 33 poor households in Songkhla Province worth 804,642 baht and provided 20 bicycles to two rural schools valued at 25,800 baht, totaling 830,442 baht in assistance. The foundation also deployed a mobile community medical unit with volunteer doctors, rescue personnel, and volunteers to provide free general medical checkups, eyeglasses, haircuts, dental services, and recreational activities to local residents.

The event was co-chaired by Chutsip Thamphetch, Deputy Governor of Songkhla Province, and Samart Suwannamon, Vice Director-General of the Department of Community Development. The foundation's integrated poverty alleviation program has completed three phases across central, northern, and northeastern Thailand, assisting 813 households so far. In 2024, an additional 57 flood-affected households in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai received equipment, bringing the total to 870 households benefiting from over 17 million baht in assistance. The foundation is now implementing Phase 4 in southern Thailand, covering 14 provinces including Chumphon, Surat Thani, Ranong, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phang Nga, Phatthalung, Songkhla, Trang, Satun, Krabi, Phuket, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat.

Government Savings Bank Plans to Distribute 300 Billion Baht in New Loans in 2025 to Support Grassroots Communities. Songphol Cheevapaññarojanam, Director of the Government Savings Bank, announced that in 2025 the bank plans to distribute new credit loans valued at approximately 270-320 billion baht to assist grassroots entrepreneurs and SMEs. The loans will be divided into three groups:

1. Grassroots microenterprises (over one million borrowers) requiring no collateral, with individual loan amounts between 100,000-200,000 baht depending on customer needs and repayment capacity. The bank targets new disbursements of approximately 70,000-100,000 million baht, comprising various credit types such as revolving credit to improve liquidity and occupational loans tailored to customer needs. Interest rates will be kept low to ease borrower burden.

2. Small and medium-sized entrepreneurs (SMEs) without collateral, with a target of 120,000 million baht in new credit—40% higher than the previous year. This segment receives priority attention as these customers have been significantly impacted by the economic crisis.

3. Low-interest loans (soft loans) valued at 100,000 million baht to support liquidity, create new momentum, facilitate transition and development, and provide loans for solar panel installation and all types of electric vehicles approved by the Cabinet. This program began in late 2024, with 9 billion baht already disbursed; the remaining 90,000 million baht is expected to be distributed more quickly this year. The bank is negotiating memorandums of understanding with commercial banks and non-bank financial institutions to facilitate soft loan disbursements.

Cheevapaññarojanam stated that the Government Savings Bank aims to be a "bank for society, for all lives" serving people at every stage of life. He noted that the Thai economy faces challenges in 2025 from Middle Eastern conflicts and energy price crises, making it essential for the bank to support struggling grassroots communities and SMEs. The bank will offer interest rates below those of commercial banks while providing financial literacy education to help customers understand proper money management. The bank commits to leaving no one behind.

"There are many challenges ahead in this year that we must prepare for. This crisis is an opportunity because our geographic position allows us to continue earning and exporting. We must work together and move forward. The Government Savings Bank is ready to be part of ensuring everyone survives. We will be a bank for society, for all lives, and for all ages," Cheevapaññarojanam said.

Additionally, the bank has implemented a policy to reduce interest rates for borrowers with good repayment discipline. The policy was piloted with home loan applicants—for example, when borrowers complete three years of fixed-rate interest periods and face higher floating rates, the bank will negotiate with borrowers to reduce rates to 3-4% without waiting for the full three-year term to expire. This will be expanded to business loans and microenterprises to encourage and reward those with good payment discipline.

Cheevapaññarojanam announced plans to support customer savings with higher returns, including the planned issuance of Government Savings Bank lottery bonds with total prize money of 113 million baht. Previously, the grand prize was valued at 70 million baht alone, but the structure will be modified.

Prapot Bunpan, Managing Director of Matichon Public Company Limited, announced that the first 2025 shareholders' meeting approved a dividend payment of 0.10 baht per share for 185,349,200 shares, totaling 18,534,920 baht, paid from retained earnings after corporate income tax of 30% has been deducted. This dividend rate matches the previous year despite a challenging economic climate. Over the past two years, the company has faced ongoing impacts from the changing media business landscape, similar to other media companies listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET).

Prapot stated that Matichon continues restructuring its revenue streams, with online advertising now generating 52% of total revenue as its primary income source, while special events and activities contribute 27%, and traditional print media advertising accounts for just 20%. Daily newspaper sales have declined with market conditions, though the book publishing business remains strong, with book sales representing 45% of total sales revenue.

A key company initiative involves efficient cost management through an early retirement program, which cost approximately 90 million baht but is expected to yield long-term benefits. Starting from 2025, the company projects annual savings of about 36 million baht in personnel and employee welfare costs, strengthening organizational flexibility for future challenges.

Prapot emphasized that the company currently faces two fundamental challenges: cost reduction and revenue generation. The company has been searching for new business models but hasn't fully succeeded in replacing the traditional model. Matichon is considering a comprehensive review of its operations and cost structure. He stressed that the company has not raised newspaper prices and remains committed to professional journalism standards while seeking business survival.

Regarding financials, current assets total 774 million baht (down 158 million from 933 million in 2024), total assets stand at 1,583 million baht (down 199 million from 1,782 million), and liabilities total 287 million baht (down 30.7 million).

On April 28, 2569, at Government House, Ratchada Thanadirek, spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, announced that the Cabinet meeting approved an expenditure budget framework of 3,788,000 million baht for fiscal year 2570, an increase of 7,400 million baht from fiscal year 2569's allocation of 3,780,600 million baht, representing a 0.2 percent increase.

The budget framework was developed through consultations among four agencies: the Budget Bureau, Ministry of Finance, Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council, and the Bank of Thailand on April 22, 2569. It aligns with the medium-term fiscal plan for fiscal years 2570–2573 previously approved by the Cabinet.

The budget maintains fiscal discipline with a projected net government revenue of 3,000,000 million baht, up 79,400 million baht or 2.7 percent from the previous year, and a deficit budget policy set at 788,000 million baht, a reduction of 72,000 million baht or 8.4 percent from fiscal year 2569.

Ratchada stated that the Prime Minister has instructed all government agencies to prepare budgets with precision and efficiency, focusing on directly addressing public hardships while adhering to principles of cost-effectiveness, necessity, urgency, and appropriateness to the current situation. The approach includes implementing zero-based budgeting concepts for maximum benefit and utilizing alternative funding sources outside the regular budget, such as off-budget funds or alternative capital, for government investment projects to reduce the overall budget burden on the nation.

On April 28, 2025, the Thai Meteorological Department issued the third severe summer thunderstorm warning affecting northern Thailand from April 29 to May 1, 2025. During this period, Thailand's upper regions will experience severe thunderstorms characterized by strong gusty winds, hail, heavy rainfall in some areas, and possible lightning strikes. The storms will first impact the northern, northeastern, and eastern regions before affecting central Thailand, Bangkok, and surrounding areas. This is caused by a high-pressure system and cold air mass from China moving over the northeastern region and the South China Sea while northern Thailand experiences hot to very hot conditions.

The public is urged to take precautions against thunderstorms by avoiding open areas, large trees, buildings, and weak signage. Farmers should strengthen fruit trees and prepare protective measures for crops and livestock. The Meteorological Department recommends monitoring weather updates via its website at http://www.tmd.go.th or by calling 0-2399-4012-13 and 1182 available 24 hours daily.

High-risk provinces for April 29 include: Northern region—Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Uttaradit, Phichit, and Phetchabun; Northeastern region—Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan, Nongbua Lamphu, Udon Thani, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan, Sisaket, and Ubon Ratchathani.

For April 30, high-risk provinces shift to: Northern region—Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Lampun, Lamphang, Sukhothai, Tak, and Kamphaeng Phet; Northeastern region—Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buriram, and Surin; Central region—Nakhon Sawan, Lopburi, Saraburi, and Ayutthaya; Eastern region—Nakhon Nayok, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Sa Kaew, Chachoengsao, and Chonburi.

By May 1, medium-risk conditions are expected across northern provinces including Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Phayao, Nan, and others; northeastern provinces including Loei, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima, and Buriram; central provinces including Bangkok and its vicinity; and eastern provinces including Prachuap Khiri Khan, Sa Kaew, and Chachoengsao.