Dairy farmers are celebrating after the Cabinet approved a proposal allowing the Thai Dairy Promotion Organization (อ.ส.ค.) to borrow 600 million baht from the Agricultural Farmer Fund to purchase raw milk under Phase 2 of the agricultural milk procurement project. Government Spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek announced on April 28, 2569, that the Cabinet has endorsed the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives' proposal to provide this interest-free loan with a seven-year repayment schedule from 2568–2575.

The project aims to strengthen the organization's financial liquidity and serve as working capital for collecting and purchasing raw milk from dairy farmers in five designated regions: Central (Saraburi), Southern (Prachuap Khiri Khan), Northeastern (Khon Kaen), Upper Northern (Chiang Mai), and Lower Northern (Sukhothai). The initiative covers 44 cooperatives with a total of 5,110 member farmers.

Phase 2 targets purchasing 26.375 million kilograms of raw milk per production cycle, allowing farmers to sell three production cycles annually for a total of 79.125 million kilograms over the seven-year project period (2569–2575). This continues from Phase 1 of the same initiative.

The organization has faced severe liquidity challenges due to prolonged economic slowdown that reduced consumer purchasing power, resulting in milk product sales falling short of targets. The impact of Thailand's free trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand, which reduced dairy product import tariffs to zero percent, has forced some manufacturers to substitute milk powder for domestic raw milk. This additional milk purchase program is designed to support dairy farmers who lack alternative sales channels.

A shocking incident unfolded at a wedding celebration in the Mo Khlan subdistrict, Tha Sala district, when relatives from both the bride's and groom's families opened fire on each other, leaving six people wounded. The violence erupted at approximately 4:30 a.m. on April 28, 2026, after relatives from both sides continued drinking following the ceremony. An argument broke out at one of the tables, escalating from a fistfight into a shootout as both families wielded firearms. Responding officers, led by Major Montsak Sriwarn, the Tha Sala Police Station superintendent, found six injured victims bleeding profusely at the reception venue in front of the family home. Emergency responders and rescue teams from the Thai-Chinese Foundation quickly transported the victims to Tha Sala Hospital.

Four of the six injured have been identified: - Thanakorn (surname withheld), 31, shot in the left thigh - Adisorn (surname withheld), 17, shot in the left shoulder - Chakrathorn (surname withheld), 23, shot in the right ankle - Chakrakrishnan (surname withheld), 24, shot in the head in critical condition and transferred to Maha Raj Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital

The other two victims from the bride's family are: - Amortep (surname withheld), 24, shot in both legs - Suphachetr (surname withheld), 40, shot in the arm

These two men fled the scene but were later apprehended at Maha Raj Nakhon Si Thammarat Hospital with firearms in their possession.

Investigations revealed that after the wedding reception officially concluded past midnight, various family members and close relatives from both sides continued drinking at the venue. A dispute erupted when Amortep from the bride's family got into an argument with the groom's family. When Suphachetr attempted to intervene, the situation escalated into a brawl, and both families drew guns, firing at each other in a shocking display of violence. The stray bullets struck several innocent bystanders who were present at the celebration, causing panic among guests. Following treatment at the hospital, investigators moved to apprehend both Amortep and Suphachetr. Investigators are continuing to gather evidence and witnesses to prosecute both families further.

On April 28, 2025, Commerce Minister Suphachai Sutthampun posted on Facebook regarding the collaboration with influencers to conduct live commerce durian sales at 100 baht per fruit, which has generated significant criticism and debate.

In her clarification, she explained the government's live commerce initiative through online channels in partnership with influencers, highlighting the following points:

1) Durian production this year is projected to be 33% higher than the previous year.

2) The ministry is implementing an aggressive marketing strategy for both domestic and international markets to prevent product oversupply before it becomes a problem.

3) Live commerce is one marketing channel that enables rapid and widespread product distribution.

4) The ministry works with numerous influencers both domestically and internationally, each employing different marketing methods, with no preferential government support given to any particular influencer.

5) Regarding influencer Pimrapat, she is understood to be committed to assisting farmers, with buying and selling arrangements made mutually between sellers and buyers. Her sales techniques and promotional methods may have specific conditions or timeframes.

Regarding public concerns about product quality, the minister expressed confidence that standards would be maintained given the strong public response and close monitoring by regulatory agencies.

6) Current durian prices remain at good levels, with export-grade AB durian at 135-150 baht per kilogram, grade C at 90-100 baht per kilogram, grade D at 70-80 baht per kilogram, and mixed grade at 125-130 baht per kilogram, varying by product quality.

The minister emphasized that the purpose of collaborating with influencers on live commerce is to manage the impending production surplus and deliver fresh produce to Thai consumers as quickly as possible.

The Land Development Department is implementing urgent measures under Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry policy to mitigate the impact of continuously rising chemical fertilizer prices amid global economic volatility and Middle East geopolitical tensions affecting energy and fertilizer costs.

On April 28, 2025, Land Development Department Director Sumitra Wattana announced that the department is backing Agriculture Minister Suriya Chungrungreungkit's policy to promote organic fertilizer and implement urgent proactive measures to assist farmers. The focus is on reducing chemical fertilizer dependency, encouraging farmers to make their own fertilizer based on soil analysis, using organic and biofertilizer from raw milk, and improving crop growth efficiency while cutting costs.

The department has adopted an active operational approach under the concept "Know Your Soil, Reduce Chemical Fertilizer, Achieve Sustainable Agriculture" to help reduce costs, increase production efficiency, and ensure long-term food security. The department is implementing 4 urgent measures nationwide:

1. Plant Nutrient Maps for Precision Fertilizer Use and Real Cost Reduction: Developing plant nutrient maps by region nationwide to help farmers analyze soil and use fertilizer appropriately through digital systems such as soil maps, good soil cards, Zoning by Agri-Map, and e-Service soil testing, plus an AI chatbot "Nong Dindee" via Line providing 24-hour consultation.

2. Cost-Reduction Formula Using 70% Chemical Fertilizer Based on Soil Analysis and 30% Organic/Biofertilizer: Targeting a reduction in chemical fertilizer use from 8.6 million tons to 2.6 million tons by promoting fresh plant fertilizer, organic fertilizer, biofertilizer, and fermented biological liquid for 13 commercial crops through volunteer soil doctor networks and learning centers nationwide.

3. Quick Win 3-Month Plan to Rapidly Deliver Knowledge to Farmers: Planning activities where April 2025 focuses on transferring organic fertilizer access processes and providing learning resources, May 2025 supports production inputs and fresh plant seeds, and June 2025 conducts demonstrations and promotes organic fertilizer use in actual farm plots.

4. Expansion to 77 Provinces to Build Strength from the Grassroots: Targeting 1,750 strong groups and 40 comprehensive groups covering all provinces nationwide, using local waste materials such as rice straw and animal manure to produce organic fertilizer, while transferring knowledge through 77 land development stations and integrating with government and private agencies including the Agricultural Promotion Department, Rice Department, Department of Agricultural Extension, and the Highland Research and Development Institute.

The Land Development Department Director further stated that promoting farmers to produce their own organic fertilizer not only reduces costs in the short term but also builds agricultural immunity, reduces import dependency, and restores soil quality for long-term sustainability.

Luang Pu Chu Chantasoro, a renowned Buddhist monk and former abbot of Wat Naka Prok in Bangkok's Phasi Charoen district, was originally from Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, born in 1858. His family engaged in commerce, operating trading vessels between Nakhon Si Thammarat and Bangkok. In 1869, the family relocated to Thonburi Province, where he ordained at Wat Thong Nopkhun, a prestigious meditation school of that era.

From his youth, he devoted himself to Buddhist studies across multiple disciplines until achieving mastery. He studied under various renowned teachers, including those at Wat Rakhang Kositaram and Phra Achan Phlab at Wat Chi Tai (present-day Wat Chi Phon) in Ayutthaya. He spent an extended period in Phichit and Phitsanulok provinces, where his family eventually believed him deceased. Upon his eventual return home, his joyful reunion with relatives led his parents to arrange his marriage, resulting in three children—two sons and one daughter.

Using his knowledge of herbal medicine and traditional healing practices, he earned the local nickname "Pharmacist Chu" for helping those suffering from illness. Becoming weary of worldly life and recognizing the impermanence of existence, he re-ordained at Wat Nang Chi in Phasi Charoen and later became abbot of Wat Naka Prok, with ten monks following him from Wat Nang Chi.

During his tenure as abbot, he renovated temple buildings and oversaw their development. He served as a spiritual refuge for villagers, treating their illnesses and becoming a beacon of faith. The temple grounds were filled with medicinal herbs and various traditional remedies. One notable medicine he prepared was preserved lime (makrut) stored in large jars exposed to sunlight and dew, freely distributed to those in need for treating headaches, fever, abscesses, and various inflammations.

He provided excellent training to the temple's monks and novices, regularly preaching to laypeople about maintaining moral conduct and ethical livelihoods. Before modernization, Wat Naka Prok and its surroundings were covered in dense forest, with residents practicing agriculture and cultivating betel nut groves so extensively that the area became known as the "Betel Market." Transportation relied on boats, and electricity and running water were unavailable; people lit oil lamps and candles in the evenings to study Buddhist texts and dharma literature.

According to local accounts and documented records, Luang Pu Chu was known for his simple lifestyle, knowledge, humility, virtue, and exemplary conduct. Remarkably, he was the only monk whom Phra Bhavana Gosalatthera (Luang Pu Iem of Wat Hang), a celebrated teacher skilled in medical science and ancient medicine, personally recommended to others. When villagers sought blessings from Luang Pu Iem, he would direct them to Luang Pu Chu, and vice versa. These two revered teachers held deep mutual respect, understood each other's spiritual maturity, and frequently visited one another.

He passed away peacefully on Wednesday, the fifth waning day of the second lunar month in 1934, at the age of 76.

The Office of Fiscal Policy (OFP) announced Thailand's economic forecast for 2026, projecting gradual recovery with growth of 1.6% fueled by strong domestic demand, featuring private consumption growth of 2.3% and private investment growth of 3.2%, while merchandise exports are expected to expand 6.2%. Risk factors requiring attention include Middle East tensions, drought, and elevated household debt.

Vinij Wisesuwarnnaphumi, Director of the Office of Fiscal Policy, stated that Thailand's 2026 economy is on a gradual recovery trajectory, though facing headwinds from external factors and global geopolitics. The Finance Ministry is prepared to implement proactive policies to maintain growth momentum while accelerating economic restructuring to enhance long-term competitiveness.

The projected 1.6% growth (forecast range 1.1% to 2.1%) is primarily supported by both domestic and external demand. Export values in US dollars are expected to grow 6.2%, benefiting from recovering demand from major trading partners and sustained strong export signals since the first quarter, particularly in industries rebounding with global economic cycles. Import values are projected to rise 13.9%, reflecting industrial production trends as businesses accelerate imports of capital goods and raw materials to support expected private investment expansion and export-oriented manufacturing, alongside rising energy import prices.

Domestic demand shows strong expansion as a key economic driver. Private consumption is forecast to continue growing at 2.3%, supported by tourism sector recovery distributing income to grassroots levels and government cost-of-living relief measures strengthening household purchasing power. Private investment is projected to expand 3.2%, driven by increased investment promotion applications, continuous monitoring and acceleration of actual investment, Thailand FastPass implementation, and removal of key investor obstacles, particularly in targeted industries (New S-Curve) and foreign investor confidence in Thailand as a production base.

The public sector will play a key role in supporting economic growth, with government consumption forecast to expand 1.3% and government investment projected at 1.7%, resulting from fiscal year 2570 budget expected completion on schedule, ensuring continuous money circulation. Major infrastructure mega-projects will enhance competitiveness and attract private investment through crowding-in effects.

State enterprise investment shows strong continued disbursement, with first-half fiscal year 2569 reaching 117 billion baht at approximately 50% disbursement rate, higher than the same period previously.