National

Supachai Tackles Chanthaburi's Record Durian Harvest: Targeting 1 Million Tons for Export with TikTok Live Commerce Boost

Thailand's Commerce Ministry targets exporting a record 1 million tons of durians in 2025 by boosting domestic sales through TikTok live commerce and modern retail channels amid a 33% production surge expected to peak in May.

25 Apr Khaosod

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachai Panitchpakdi led Commerce Ministry executives to Chanthaburi province on April 25 to monitor the 2025 durian production situation and inspect farming operations at Sompong Garden, a 1-billion-baht durian farm in Khao Khitchakut District. The delegation inspected quality management systems from farm to market, accompanied by provincial governor Mont Sitthiphon Paisalthanavatana, parliamentary representatives, and Chanida Khai Phuean, Director of Public Policy for TikTok Thailand.

During the visit, the team observed premium durian production and processing techniques under the "Q-Chan" brand, which implements quality control throughout the supply chain. Minister Supachai revealed that 2025 durian production is expected to reach approximately 2.071 million tons, a 33% increase, with the eastern region alone producing about 998,000 tons—48% of the national total. Peak harvesting is anticipated in May.

Currently, Thai durians are exported at roughly 70% while 30% are consumed domestically. The Commerce Ministry aims to increase domestic consumption to manage the surplus production and maintain price stability. The ministry targets moving at least 450,000 tons through domestic channels, including central markets and over 350 modern retail outlets, alongside sales through Thailand Post and online platforms in partnership with TikTok's live commerce features to reach younger consumers.

Minister Supachai witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Internal Trade and TikTok Technologies Ltd. to promote Thai fruit sales through TikTok Shop and live commerce platforms. This collaboration is expected to boost farmer income, expand consumer reach particularly among younger demographics and foreign tourists, utilizing digital content and influencer partnerships.

Chanida Khai Phuean from TikTok Thailand noted that the platform has become crucial in converting content into actual sales, with agricultural products on TikTok Shop growing 15-20% and 1.8 million creators participating. TikTok will run promotional campaigns with the Commerce Ministry, providing over 6.5 million baht in coupons and shipping subsidies to accelerate product sales. The partnership will follow a 3S strategy (Start-Skill-Scale) supporting farmers from their first sale to scaling operations, while promoting the "Thailand: The Land of Tropical Fruits" brand through digital content to boost global recognition of Thai durians.

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National

Iran Grants Russia Exemption from Strait of Hormuz Transit Fees

Iran is granting Russia exemptions from newly imposed Strait of Hormuz transit fees, with Tehran justifying the charges as security costs following escalating military tensions in the region.

25 Apr Khaosod

Iran's Ambassador to Russia Kazem Jalali has disclosed that Tehran is granting exemptions from Strait of Hormuz transit fees to select nations, including Russia, according to Russian news agencies RIA Novosti and Al-Mayadeen. The ambassador stated that Iran is currently providing exceptions for friendly countries like Russia, though future policy remains uncertain. Iran announced its plan to impose transit fees following escalating military attacks between the U.S., Israel, and Iran since late February, justifying the charges as necessary costs for maintaining security in the strategic waterway. The country has also closed the strait and indicated it will reopen only when the U.S. ends its naval blockade entirely. Iran's Vice Speaker of Parliament Hamid Reza Haji Babaei confirmed on April 23 that the country has already received the first transit fee payment, transferred to the national central bank. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint between the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, is the world's only major maritime outlet for the region. Prior to recent conflicts, approximately 20 million barrels of oil transited daily through the strait, representing roughly one-fifth of global oil consumption.

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Police

Win Willan Drops Another Shocking Deal! Raids Chanthaburi Durian Orchards with Export-Grade Fruit at Bargain Prices

Win Willan, Thailand's top live shopping host, is selling premium export-grade durian from Chanthaburi orchards at bargain prices in a livestream on April 25th, offering fruit typically reserved for export at tens of baht per unit.

25 Apr Khaosod

Win Willan, Thailand's top live shopping host with over 24 million TikTok followers, is launching another shocking promotion. The livestreamer will raid durian orchards in Chanthaburi province to sell premium export-grade durian fruit in a live broadcast at prices starting from just tens of baht. Win explained that premium quality durian is typically exported abroad, but he's offering a special promotion with unbeatable prices so viewers can enjoy quality fruit at excellent value. He stressed that the fruit will be genuine export-grade quality and that he won't sell anything substandard. Don't miss the livestream on April 25th starting at 8:00 PM.

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National

Supachee Reaffirms Thailand-US Relations, Pushes Forward on New Trade and Investment Deal

Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister reaffirmed commitment to strengthening trade ties with the US, pushing forward negotiations on a reciprocal trade agreement during talks with the American ambassador in Bangkok on Friday.

25 Apr Khaosod

Deputy Prime Minister Supachee Panitchpakdi held talks with US Ambassador to Thailand Sean Oanis on Friday, April 24, 2026, describing the discussions as constructive and reflective of shared confidence in deepening economic and trade relations between Thailand and the United States—a partnership spanning over 190 years.

The Thai government prioritizes negotiations on the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) and stands ready to work closely with the United States, with commitment to advance discussions and reach conclusions quickly to boost business and market confidence in both countries. Regarding the US Section 301 investigation, Supachee emphasized that Thailand has comprehensively clarified its position on excess capacity and forced labor import bans, noting that most Thai exports support US manufacturing supply chains. Thailand maintains labor standards aligned with international norms and is prepared to collaborate closely with the US for mutually beneficial outcomes.

Thailand has proposed that the US consider tariff exemptions for goods the US cannot produce domestically, particularly key agricultural exports, to mitigate consumer impact in America and promote more balanced trade.

The Deputy PM also revealed plans to visit the United States in early May to attend the SelectUSA Investment Summit 2026, leading a delegation of Thai business leaders focused on expanding investment in key sectors. Thailand will also engage with USABC and USCC, major US investors in Thailand, to facilitate mutual investment and witness business cooperation agreements (MOUs), demonstrating Thai private sector confidence in the US economy and the strategic partnership between the two nations.

Thailand aims to balance trade through imports of essential goods and raw materials from the US, including agricultural products and energy resources, reflecting its commitment to being a responsible and reliable economic partner. The Deputy PM concluded that Thailand views the US as a strategically important trade partner, and these discussions reflect shared determination to elevate economic relations to new heights through close collaboration for long-term sustainable mutual benefit.

In 2025, the US ranked as Thailand's second-largest trading partner with total trade value exceeding $93.65 billion, with Thai exports to the US reaching $72.51 billion, covering major products such as computers, rubber products, gems, automobiles, and air conditioning units. Thailand imported $21.14 billion worth of US goods including crude oil, machinery, aircraft and components, chemicals, and electrical machinery.

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National

Bird Thongchai, National Artist, Awarded the Direkgunabhorn Medal, Fourth Class

Legendary Thai singer Bird Thongchai has been honored with the prestigious Direkgunabhorn Medal, Fourth Class, in recognition of his distinguished career as a National Artist in performing arts.

25 Apr Khaosod

Fans are celebrating Bird Thongchai, a National Artist, on the occasion of receiving the Royal Decoration Direkgunabhorn Medal, Fourth Class. The Bird Thongchai Fans Page (ClubBIRD) on Facebook posted joyfully about Bird Thongchai Mack Inthai, a National Artist in the performing arts category (international Thai music and vocal) recognized in 2022, upon receiving the royal honor. The post stated: "Congratulations to Brother Bird Thongchai on receiving the Royal Decoration Direkgunabhorn Medal, Fourth Class, on the occasion of the Royal Birthday Celebration on July 28, 2025," with fans coming together to congratulate him.

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Community

Natty of Kiss of Life Shares Her Journey: Life as an Idol Isn't Easy—10 Years of Training, Three Company Changes Before Debut

Kiss of Life member Natty spent a grueling 10 years training in South Korea, enduring three company changes and countless rejections, before finally debuting three years ago and discovering her true self on stage.

25 Apr Khaosod

Natty (Anatchaya Suphuthiphong), member of Kiss of Life, appeared on the Woody Talk program to discuss her decade-long journey to stardom. Moving to South Korea at age 10, she spent 10 years as a trainee before debuting with Kiss of Life just three years ago, finally able to express her true self on stage. While performances may look glamorous to audiences, the behind-the-scenes reality proved far more challenging than she initially imagined.

Recalling her early days, Natty said she was drawn to dancing and singing from age 6-7, but didn't fully comprehend what the intense trainee system entailed when she joined what she thought was a casual workshop. What started as a fun experience stretched into a grueling decade. She explained the harsh realities: among 50 trainees eating, singing, and dancing together, most never made their debut. Some lacked sufficient talent, while others simply fell out of favor. Yet Natty refused to quit, knowing she'd come too far to turn back.

She admitted to wavering moments—changing companies three to four times and failing auditions led her to question whether this was truly her path. But she persevered, driven by the determination that someday everyone would see who she really was. Even when her parents offered her an escape route after 10 years with no debut in sight, she replied, "I don't want to go home anymore," having invested too much to stop.

Natty credits B.E., a Thai artist, as her original inspiration to become a performer. She developed a personal mantra to keep herself going: "There will be my day." Before Kiss of Life, she never had the opportunity to fully showcase her talents, personality, and performance abilities to audiences. But when Kiss of Life came along, she recognized it as her final chance, and embraced it fully.

Today, Natty feels the lightest she has in her 10-year journey. She does everything she wants on stage and genuinely enjoys her body and performances. She noted with a smile that she rarely gets interviews in Thai anymore, having spent most of her time in Korea.

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National

Plah Blah Blah Productions Sends 'Mahout' to Cannes for Seventh Time, Pushing Thai Cinema to Global Market

Thai film "Mahout" explores the cultural bond between Thailand and elephants and heads to Cannes Film Festival 2026 after generating international buzz at markets in Los Angeles.

25 Apr Khaosod

Anticipated Thai film 'Mahout,' produced by Plah Blah Blah and director Piyarattaya Komartat, explores Thailand's deep cultural relationship with elephants from a fresh perspective. The production has generated significant buzz even before its release and has been selected and supported by the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) under the Ministry of Commerce, recently appearing at the American Film Market 2025 in Los Angeles.

Most recently, Plah Blah Blah Productions has been selected to exhibit at Cannes Film Festival 2026 in France.

Director Piyarattaya shared her enthusiasm: "I'm thoroughly prepared for this Cannes outing. I've had custom gowns designed tailored to my preferences—each piece is extraordinary. I'm keeping them elegant rather than overly elaborate, as Cannes has guidelines about avoiding excessive embellishment.

I've attended Cannes seven times now, including this year. I've walked red carpets until my feet hurt, but it's been a blast. Plus, I get to see world premieres before anyone else. Even though I've been to Cannes frequently, I can't say I'm jaded—every year brings exciting new experiences and a wonderful array of moments.

As for 'Mahout,' we'll have a booth at Cannes as well. Many people have been asking when it will screen in Thailand. The wait won't be long—it premieres here on July 9th!"

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Police

Temple thieves steal 200kg safe, flee with donations

Thieves broke into a temple in northeastern Thailand and stole a 200kg safe containing donations worth an estimated 40,000-50,000 baht, with police investigating multiple suspects caught on CCTV.

25 Apr Khaosod

KHON KAEN — 25 April 2026, Police are hunting suspects who broke into a prominent temple in northeastern Thailand, stole donation boxes and carried off a safe weighing more than 200kg before smashing it open and fleeing with cash.

CCTV footage circulating on social media shows a slim man wearing a cap and face mask moving around Wat That Phra Aram Luang in Mueang district, searching for valuables and prying open donation boxes placed around the temple grounds.

Temple caretaker Thongdee Thonglon, 76, said the intruders likely climbed into the compound from outside before breaking into donation boxes near the pagoda and inside the ordination hall. A safe containing donations was taken from inside the hall and later found broken open in a nearby alley.

He estimated the thieves made off with around 40,000 to 50,000 baht in donated money. Some boxes were successfully forced open, while others showed signs of attempted break-ins.

Thongdee said the temple had switched off electricity at the time of the incident, leaving some internal cameras unable to record the theft. He added that petty theft had occurred before, but this was the first time a safe had been stolen.

Police said evidence from CCTV footage suggests two groups of suspects may be involved, one acting alone and another consisting of two individuals. One suspect has been detained and reportedly admitted to stealing less than 100 baht, while investigators are working to identify whether the second group was responsible for taking the safe.

Authorities are reviewing additional surveillance footage in nearby areas as they continue efforts to locate and arrest those responsible.

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National

Three Ministries Launch 'Custom-Blended Fertilizer' Program to Reduce Costs, Boost Efficiency, and Address Fertilizer Crisis

Three Thai government ministries launched a custom-blended fertilizer program to help farmers reduce production costs and prepare for potential supply disruptions, offering tailored nutrient formulas based on soil analysis via a mobile app.

25 Apr Khaosod

Three government ministries—Agriculture, Higher Education, and Labor—have jointly launched the 'Custom-Blended Fertilizer for Thai Farmers' initiative to address production costs and build sustainable prosperity for farmers through innovation and workforce development. Deputy Agriculture Minister Watchrapol Khwao-kham, alongside Deputy Prime Minister Yotchanon Wongsawat and Labor Minister Julphand Amornvivat, presided over the project launch at the Udon Thani Agricultural Marketing Cooperative. The Agriculture Ministry recognized the urgent need to prepare farmers for potential impacts from Middle East tensions by introducing custom-blended organic and chemical fertilizers as a new strategy. The program promotes balanced fertilizer use tailored to crop and soil requirements based on soil analysis using test kits and a 'Soil Health Friend' mobile app accessible via Line. The three-pronged approach targets reducing production costs, restoring soil resources, and ensuring environmental sustainability. Deputy Prime Minister Yotchanon emphasized that Thai agriculture is heavily dependent on imported fertilizer and the government is adopting proactive measures to transform Thai agriculture through innovation, using cooperatives as intermediaries to deliver technology to farmers. Agriculture Ministry initiatives include negotiating fertilizer feedstock import quotas from Russia to expand supply channels. The government cabinet subsequently visited Udon Thani Rajabhat University to inspect occupational skills training programs offering courses in community cooking, electrical work, air conditioning repair, emerging professions, and Korean language, designed to create supplementary income for farmers during off-seasons.

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Breaking

Close Call! Father Narrowly Squeezes Family Car Between Two Trucks on Kazakhstan Highway

A Kazakhstan driver narrowly threaded his car through an impossibly narrow gap between two overtaking trucks on a highway, miraculously avoiding a collision with his wife and three children aboard.

25 Apr Khaosod

Kanat Bekhzanov, a driver from Aktobe, Kazakhstan, has become an internet sensation after dashcam footage revealed a near-fatal incident on the Samara-Shymkent Highway. He was traveling with his wife and three young children when the harrowing event occurred.

The incident unfolded when two trucks ahead began overtaking each other on a narrow road with oncoming traffic. Both vehicles occupied nearly the entire width of the road with no shoulder to swerve into, leaving Bekhzanov's oncoming car with no time to brake or stop.

In a split-second decision at the most critical moment, Bekhzanov jerked the steering wheel left before sharply cutting back to thread his vehicle through the impossibly narrow gap between the two trucks. Dashcam footage captured the precise, almost miraculous maneuver as his car slipped through without making contact—a feat that seemed impossible.

After the incident passed, Bekhzanov merely glanced at his rear-view mirror before continuing as if nothing had happened, while his family inside remained unaware they had just escaped death by mere seconds.

In a post-incident reflection, Bekhzanov described his survival not as mere luck but as "a second chance at life" that made him appreciate every moment. The video quickly went viral worldwide. Local authorities launched an investigation and reportedly identified the truck driver involved in the dangerous overtaking to pursue legal action.

The incident highlights both the driver's sharp reflexes and deeper concerns about road infrastructure and traffic safety on this route, which has been identified as a major accident risk zone in the region.

No. 10 of ∞ Read at source → Next

National

Waking Up at 3 AM Regularly? You Might Not Have Insomnia—Doctors Warn of a Silent Health Risk Many Overlook

Frequent 3 AM awakenings aren't necessarily insomnia but rather a natural part of the brain's sleep cycles, doctors say, warning that checking your phone during these episodes can trigger long-term sleep problems by disrupting your circadia

25 Apr Khaosod

Waking up around 3 AM regularly and assuming you have insomnia? The truth might be more complicated. Doctors are highlighting a silent health threat many people overlook, and offering tips for better sleep.

Compiled by Sanook Online News Team April 25, 2026

Based on foreign media reports, many people experience frequent awakening around 3 AM and assume it's insomnia. However, this may actually result from the brain's natural rhythmic cycles.

Research shows that human sleep consists of multiple cycles, each lasting approximately 90–110 minutes, similar to relay running with periodic transitions. When entering a light sleep phase in each cycle, the body tends to experience brief "micro-awakenings," which is a normal mechanism. Many people simply shift position and fall back asleep without realizing they had woken up.

Why do we often wake around 3 AM? Around 3 AM represents a transition point in the body's circadian rhythm. The body has just completed the deepest sleep phase with the most restoration and is entering a lighter sleep stage. Simultaneously, the stress hormone cortisol begins to rise, preparing the body for morning. At this time when the body is sensitive to stimuli, even minor noise or lingering thoughts can easily trigger wakefulness.

Why you shouldn't use your phone when you wake at 3 AM Psychologist Professor Greg Murray explains that nighttime is when anxiety easily develops, as external distractions are minimal, causing thoughts to focus more on negative matters. If you pick up your phone or start thinking about work after waking, your brain misinterprets this as time to wake and become active. This creates false conditioned learning and can disrupt your circadian rhythm, potentially leading to long-term sleep problems.

How to sleep through until morning Experts recommend that the key is maintaining consistency in daily routines and preparing your body to relax before sleep, rather than trying to fall asleep quickly. Waking and rising at the same time daily helps regulate your circadian rhythm more effectively. Additionally, avoid electronic devices at least one hour before bed.

If you wake in the middle of the night, don't check the time or your phone, as the numbers may trigger stress and make your brain more alert. Allowing your body to relax will make it easier to fall back asleep.

Source: ETtoday

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