On April 27, 2026, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Yutthasak Wongsawat, serving as chairman of the National Science and Technology Development Committee (NSTDO Board), presided over the first board meeting of 2026. He announced a crucial policy to transform the National Science and Technology Development Office (NSTDO) into a "research engine for the nation" (New Research Engine) emphasizing precision, targeted focus, and measurable broad-based results. The meeting was attended by Supachai Pathumnakaul, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry; Dr. Sriyadha Palimaphand, ministerial advisor; Chaturin Chanhom, ministerial secretary; Chukkij Limpitjamnong, NSTDO Director; and other executives at the NSTDO Plant Factory in Pathum Thani Province.

Yutthasak revealed that the modern NSTDO must transcend pure research and become the primary mechanism for elevating Thailand to upper-middle-income status through four key strategic approaches: 1) Research for Nation & Economic Drive: emphasizing downstream research reaching various sectors, particularly empowering smallholder farmers, SMEs, and startups, and collaborating with the Ministry of Commerce to shield Thai innovations from foreign price dumping. 2) Mission-based Collaboration (Break Silos): breaking down barriers between agencies so that national priority projects receive integrated cooperation across all units in the Ministry and NSTDO, with NSTDO complementing rather than competing with universities through personnel and research funding exchanges. 3) Frontier Research & Tech War: preparing readiness in cutting-edge technologies such as AI, semiconductors, and quantum computing to strengthen Thailand's position in global value chains. 4) Urgent Battles & Crisis Management: rapidly developing innovations to address critical crises including disaster mitigation, energy security, and developing high-quality crop varieties for food security.

"We are transforming NSTDO into a high-impact research engine, targeting that by 2027 our innovations will benefit 10 million people and generate over 17 billion baht in economic and social impact," Yutthasak stated.

For his part, Chukkij stated that NSTDO stands ready to implement the policy with over 3,000 research personnel through Battle and Pre-battle mechanisms to convert laboratory expertise into national solutions, anchored in industry and public needs.

On this occasion, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister led media representatives on a tour of the Plant Factory, showcasing successful precision agriculture that has transformed from volume-based vegetable sales to high-value extract production for global pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries, helping farmers sustainably increase income from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of baht per rai.

Thai and Chinese construction workers engaged in a large-scale brawl at a construction site in Mab Kha subdistrict, Nikhom Phatthana district, Rayong province on April 26. On April 27, police, local administration officials, and the Rayong Provincial Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) closely monitored the situation. Officials summoned site managers from both sides and involved workers for additional questioning to determine facts and assess individual liability. Preliminary findings indicate multiple individuals participated in the altercation, potentially violating assault and public disturbance laws. The contractor has temporarily halted work in some areas and separated Thai and Chinese workers to reduce tension and prevent further clashes. Translators were urgently brought in after language barriers were identified as a significant cause of conflict. The ISOC's Information Gathering and Verification Team (Unit 112) is reviewing CCTV footage in detail to identify additional suspects and coordinate preventive measures with relevant agencies. Authorities have urged all parties to exercise patience and resolve issues through peaceful dialogue, expressing concern that escalation could damage the region's foreign worker reputation and investor confidence in Rayong's industrial zone.

On April 27, 2026, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithadtaprasth announced that the Finance Ministry is awaiting clarity on budget sources before finalizing the funding amount for the 'Thai Helping Thai Plus' program. The ministry has set a deadline of April 30 to determine remaining government spending and identify any surplus funds that can be allocated to the stimulus initiative. The government plans to proceed with budget reallocation legislation and consider alternative funding sources as appropriate.

Ekniti stated that the first Economic Cabinet meeting will be held next week to discuss economic measures, pending formal appointments from the Prime Minister. He also emphasized that government procurement represents 10-20% of global GDP and serves as a critical tool for shaping economic futures. Rather than focusing solely on spending amounts, he stressed the importance of efficient budget utilization.

The Finance Ministry is pursuing a 4T economic policy framework consisting of: Target (assisting vulnerable groups and small entrepreneurs), Transition (promoting renewable energy adoption for sustainability), Transformation (developing workforce skills through upskilling and reskilling), and Together (fostering collaboration between public, private, and civil sectors).

Ekniti outlined three pillars of modern procurement: digital procurement through the e-GP system for improved efficiency, green procurement for long-term sustainability, and innovation procurement to support startups and new technologies. He emphasized that effective government procurement directly impacts the overall economy by supporting small businesses, creating employment through community enterprises, and enabling broader economic participation.

KRABI — Coral reefs in Ao Nang are showing signs of paling, with approximately 20% of live coral affected, raising alarm about potential bleaching as sea temperatures climb.

Saengsuree Songthong, chief of Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, said park officials conducted an underwater survey on April 26 led by assistant chief Nattawat Limsunthon around the western side of Koh Samet in Ao Nang subdistrict, Mueang Krabi district. The survey covered an area of 4,068 square metres.

Water temperatures reached 32°C, dropping to 31°C in shaded areas created by natural underwater formations at depths between 2.9 and 9.7 metres. The survey documented that 20% of live coral remained in normal condition, while another 20% showed paling. The affected species included massive corals, large star corals, staghorn corals, brain corals, Pavona cactus coral, galaxy coral, honeycomb coral, small-grooved brain corals, smaller star corals, and angular star corals.

One colony of Pavona cactus coral was found completely bleached, and about 30% of coral in the area was already dead. Other marine life sensitive to bleaching, including giant clams, soft corals, and sea anemones, showed approximately 3% paling.

Authorities installed a 100-metre boundary buoy line near Ao Pu Ya on Koh Poda, collected roughly 25 kilograms of marine debris from the reef area, and removed one fishing trap that contained no marine life.

Park officials warned that sustained sea temperatures of up to 32°C could accelerate coral bleaching in the coming weeks and pledged to maintain close monitoring of the situation.

Studied expansion of global IP with framework set for future commercial development April 27, 2025 – CP Group, Thailand's leading business conglomerate, has announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with SEGA Corporation, the Japanese global gaming and entertainment leader, to explore entertainment business opportunities in Thailand and Southeast Asia, including assessing possibilities for future commercial development. The collaboration aims to combine the strengths of both organizations, with SEGA bringing world-class intellectual properties and long-accumulated content creation expertise, while CP Group contributes its diverse business ecosystem and strong regional network. Together, they will develop and present new forms of entertainment experiences tailored to Thai and Southeast Asian consumers. Under the MOU, both parties will conduct phased cooperation, initially focusing on exploring commercial development possibilities from SEGA's world-class intellectual properties such as Sonic the Hedgehog and Angry Birds, while establishing a collaboration structure to support sustainable long-term growth. This will connect content potential with CP Group's comprehensive business ecosystem spanning over 20 countries across multiple industries including food, agriculture, retail, telecommunications, and integrated media networks. In terms of consumer reach, CP Group has strong media platform capabilities, particularly TrueVisions, which plays a crucial role in presenting world-class content and animation to Thai audiences through both pay-TV and OTT platforms, serving as a key mechanism for expanding IP into broader entertainment experiences. Additionally, both organizations will jointly explore opportunities to develop new intellectual properties for the Asian region, expand business through licensing and distribution networks, and potentially extend collaboration to markets beyond Thailand in the future. Haruki Satomi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SEGA Corporation, stated: "We are very pleased to have reached this cooperation agreement with CP Group, which has strong business foundations in Thailand and Asia. This collaboration will accelerate the expansion of SEGA's IP globally and create new forms of entertainment experiences for the Asian region and ultimately audiences worldwide." Supakij Chiaravanont, Chairman of CP Group, said: "We are delighted to have reached this framework with SEGA, an organization that continuously creates world-renowned intellectual properties. This cooperation will provide an opportunity for both parties to combine strengths to develop new IPs and bring Asian region's culture and values to the world's attention." Long-term plans include expanding cooperation across multiple dimensions to support market growth in Thailand, Southeast Asia, and globally through CP Group's business networks and media distribution platforms, particularly TrueVisions, which plays an important role in presenting world-class animation content and aims to become a hub for Japanese content fan communities in Southeast Asia.

The Finance Ministry has finalized the 'Half Plus' cash assistance program following Deputy Prime Minister Ekniti Nitithanpraphat's meeting with ministry officials. The program will benefit over 20 million people, with registrations beginning in May and payments starting in June, distributing 4,000 baht per person at 1,000 baht monthly installments over four months.

All eligible participants, regardless of tax-filing status, will receive equal benefits under a cost-sharing model where the government pays 60% and beneficiaries pay 40%. This initiative is designed to mitigate the severe impact of the energy crisis on the Thai population.

Funding sources have been secured through multiple channels. The ministry is currently awaiting confirmation on the fiscal year 2569 budget allocation that cannot be obligated by April 30 to finalize the necessary legislation for fund transfers.

The 'Half Plus' program will run alongside additional assistance for approximately 14 million welfare cardholders and low-income card holders, each receiving 4,000 baht distributed at 1,000 baht monthly. Both programs fall under the broader 'Thailand Helps Thailand Plus' relief package.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul previously stated that this iteration provides greater benefits than previous rounds, acknowledging severe economic hardship from the energy crisis and projecting extended recovery timelines for the broader economy.