The Thai Meteorological Department released a regional 7-day weather forecast on April 26, 2569 (2026), projecting conditions through May 2. From April 26-27, northern Thailand will see reduced rainfall but thunderstorms with strong gusts and heavy downpours remain likely due to southerly and southeast winds. From April 28 to May 2, northern Thailand will experience pre-monsoon storms characterized by thunderstorms, strong winds, hail in some areas, and possible lightning. The storms are expected to begin in the Northeast, North, and East regions before spreading to the Central region and Bangkok metropolitan area. This is caused by a new high-pressure system and cold air mass from China affecting the South China Sea and Northeast.

For the South region during April 26 to May 2, rainfall will decrease as southeast winds weaken over the Gulf of Thailand and southern areas. Waves in the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea are expected to be around 1 meter high, with heights exceeding 2 meters in thunderstorm areas.

Warnings: From April 28 to May 2, residents in northern Thailand should exercise caution against pre-monsoon storm hazards. Avoid open spaces, large trees, structures, and weak signboards. Farmers should reinforce fruit trees and prepare protective measures for crops and livestock. Monitor health during weather changes.

Regional Forecasts (April 26 – May 2):

Northern Region: April 26-28 will see thunderstorms covering 10-30% of the area with strong winds and heavy rain in some locations. Hot afternoons with southerly winds 5-15 km/h. Lows of 21-27°C, highs of 34-40°C. April 29 to May 2 will be hot with scattered extreme heat. Thunderstorms affecting 40-60% of areas with strong winds, hail, and heavy rain. Southeast winds 5-15 km/h. Lows of 20-28°C, highs of 35-40°C.

Northeast Region: April 26-27 will be hot with thunderstorms affecting 10-30% of areas. East winds 10-20 km/h. Lows of 21-26°C, highs of 32-39°C. April 28 to May 2 will be hot with thunderstorms covering 20-40% of areas and occasional strong gusts. Southeast winds 10-20 km/h. Lows of 22-27°C, highs of 31-38°C.

Central Region: April 26-28 will feature thunderstorms affecting 10-30% of areas with occasional strong winds and hot afternoons. Southerly winds 10-20 km/h. Lows of 23-27°C, highs of 33-38°C. April 29 to May 2 will be hot with extreme heat in some areas. Thunderstorms affecting 40-60% of areas with strong winds and hail. Southeast winds 10-20 km/h. Lows of 24-28°C, highs of 35°C and above.

Suphanart Meenchaiyanan, a Bangkok MP from the Pheu Thai Party, criticized the Department of Rural Roads on April 26, 2025, over its order to reduce energy consumption on rural highways in low-risk areas starting May 1, 2025, without compromising safety standards.

Suphanart stated that the Department of Rural Roads should instead focus on converting street lights from HPS sodium vapor bulbs to LED lighting, which would provide better energy savings and be more sustainable than turning off lights entirely.

He argued that the Transport Ministry's focus on turning off lights will have limited impact, as light spacing, frequency, and positioning are specifically designed to provide adequate illumination for road users. Turning off lights will negatively affect road users and create safety hazards. Many areas already have non-functional lights, and darkening them further will be even worse. Suphanart believes this policy will achieve little.

For effective energy conservation, he recommends the ministry prioritize converting all street lights to LED technology and prevent theft of electrical cables, which would be far more beneficial.

A mother has vowed to pursue legal action after filing a complaint against a subdistrict chief in Srinakharin District, Phatthalung Province, who allegedly dragged her sleeping 28-year-old son from his home, handcuffed him, tied him to a mango tree, beat him in the face until his eyes were bruised, kicked him, and used red ants to bite him across his body. The accused claims he had CCTV evidence that the young man had stolen beetles from local residents.

The mother stated that the subdistrict chief went too far by handcuffing her son, beating and kicking him, and using red ants against him. She pleaded with him multiple times during the assault until blood was drawn, but the chief refused to stop. The mother refused to back down, vowing to see the case through to the end.

The mother acknowledged her son has behavioral issues, but insisted that if he committed a crime, it should be reported to police and handled through the legal system, not through vigilante justice. Earlier that morning, the subdistrict chief and local administrative officials visited the home and asked the mother to drop charges in exchange for compensation, but she refused.

When approached by reporters at the victim's home, the subdistrict chief declined to provide any explanation regarding the incident.

On April 26, 2025, Dr. Chanyawit Ariyawornananth, acting director of Super Poll research institute, presented survey findings on public confidence in Energy Minister Eknath Phrom-muang, based on a nationwide sample of 1,259 respondents from all occupational backgrounds, conducted between April 22-25, 2025.

The Super Poll survey on public confidence in Energy Minister Eknath Phrom-muang reflects the important dynamics of the relationship between "policy performance" and "public perception" in the context of energy problems, which is a structural issue that directly impacts the quality of life for the broader public. This study, conducted using both quantitative and qualitative research methods with a nationwide sample of 1,259 respondents, reveals significant trends that will shape public policy direction moving forward.

Regarding "expectations," the majority of the public clearly expressed the desire to solve energy problems at a structural level, particularly continuous energy price reductions, which reached as high as 89.6 percent. This reflects the reality that energy is not merely an economic commodity but a "cost of living" that the public directly uses to evaluate government performance.

Beyond this, the demand for transparent disclosure of energy price structures at 84.3 percent emphasizes the public's desire for transparency and fairness in the energy system. Meanwhile, support for controlling energy business profits and reforming the entire system was also high, showing that the public does not only want short-term fixes but desires genuine systemic change.

When examining the "confidence" dimension, the survey found that 67.9 percent of the public has a high to very high level of confidence in the Energy Minister, and an additional 21.4 percent has a moderate level of confidence. This means roughly 4 in 5 people have a confidence level ranging from moderate to very high—a figure reflecting a "positive confidence base" forming in society. However, the presence of 10.7 percent of the public with low or no confidence indicates an area of uncertainty that still needs to be addressed through concrete results and more effective communication.

In terms of "perception of credibility," the survey shows that most of the public views the minister positively, especially in dimensions of seriousness about work (77.1 percent) and intention to solve national and public problems (74.2 percent). These are moral leadership qualities that play an important role in building long-term trust.

Meanwhile, the public's perception of communication ability and accessibility at 67.3 percent shows that policy communication has become effective to some degree. However, the 22.1 percent of people who remain "uncertain" reveals a perception gap that can still be developed.

Regarding "perception of work performance," the survey found that the public has a high level of awareness of measures related to fuel price reductions (73.8 percent) and direct field engagement to address problems (70.5 percent). This reflects awareness in the dimension of "practical leadership" that emphasizes action and confronting problems directly.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A man armed with guns and knives stormed the lobby outside a high-profile journalists' dinner attended by President Donald Trump and multiple senior U.S. leaders on Saturday night, rushing toward the ballroom before Secret Service agents swarmed him and took him into custody. The president was uninjured and was hustled away.

Guests went diving under tables as the scene unfolded and some reported hearing shots outside the vast subterranean ballroom in the Washington Hilton where the event was being held.

One law enforcement official said a gunman had opened fire. A law enforcement officer was shot in the bullet-resistant vest but is expected to be OK, several sources told The Associated Press.

The shooting suspect — described by Trump as a "sick person" — was identified as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, two law enforcement officials told the AP.

"When you're impactful, they go after you. When you're not impactful, they leave you alone," Trump, safe and uninjured and still in his tuxedo, said at the White House two hours later. "They seem to think he was a lone wolf."

There was no immediate indication of any other involvement, and Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said she had "no reason" to believe anyone else was involved. Video posted by Trump showed the suspect running past security barricades as Secret Service agents ran toward him.

"There does not appear to be any sort of danger to the public at this time," Bowser said at a separate news conference.

All officials protected by the Secret Service were evacuated. Those in attendance included Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio — and many other leaders of the Trump administration on a night when the nation is at war with Iran.

It was the third time since 2024 that the president had been under threat by an attacker in his immediate vicinity — including the assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, that injured him and killed a local firefighter.

"Today we need levels of security that probably nobody has ever seen before," the president said. But he also said, "We're not going to let anybody take over our society."

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said charges related to Saturday night's attack will be filed shortly, and that the nature of the charges would be obvious considering what had happened at the dinner. Blanche stressed that "the investigation is obviously ongoing and just started."

FBI Director Kash Patel, flanking Trump, said the agency is examining a long gun and shell casings recovered from the scene, as well as interviewing witnesses from the dinner. He urged anyone with information to come forward.

The Medical Technology Council has issued academic guidance clarifying that plain water can be consumed normally before blood draws, contradicting some healthcare facilities' instructions to fast from both food and water. The council is communicating this clarification to its members, the general public, and relevant healthcare workers due to widespread misunderstandings that plain water should be avoided like other foods and beverages.

The council clarified that plain water—defined as pure water with no color, taste, calories, or additives—does not affect laboratory test results that require clinical fasting conditions. Conversely, avoiding water provides no benefit and may negatively impact test results. Water deprivation can cause blood concentration, leading to artificially elevated values for hemoglobin, creatinine, and BUN. It also makes blood draws more difficult and increases discomfort and risk to patients.

Additionally, laboratory reference values are typically established under fasting conditions while allowing plain water consumption. Avoiding water may cause results to deviate from these standards. The Medical Technology Council is requesting that healthcare facilities update their pre-test instructions to read: "Avoid all food and beverages except plain water, which may be consumed normally." Proper communication before testing is essential for ensuring quality laboratory results and patient safety.