The Thai Table Tennis Association held its annual general meeting at Central Westgate shopping center, reporting outstanding performance results for 2568. Notable achievements include 15-year-old players Ploy and Norton making history as Thailand's first world champions in mixed doubles, and defending three SEA Games titles across women's team, women's singles, and women's doubles competitions. The association sent athletes to 32 competitions, winning 19 championships, 14 runner-up finishes, and 25 third-place results. The organization also hosted five international tournaments, one-to-five-star national tournaments, and organized over 26 competitions involving more than 12,242 athletes.

However, the financial report revealed total revenue of 63.8 million baht against expenses of 72.29 million baht, creating a deficit of over 8.48 million baht. Officials attributed this to the National Sports Development Fund having limited budgets, with over 1,000 million baht directed toward SEA Games preparations and operations, leaving insufficient funds for individual sports associations. The table tennis association received minimal or no support for its 32 competition entries and only received funding for one of 26 organized tournaments, forcing the association to use reserves.

The situation worsened as the 2569 budget remains unclear even after seven months, potentially requiring major operational adjustments. The association faces urgent funding needs for upcoming competitions including the ASEAN Youth Championships in Singapore, World Championships in England, and hosting two WTT Youth 2 competitions in April-May, requiring approximately 10 million baht. Association President Nathwut Rueangwes stated: "We don't want to reduce activities because it's unfortunate after 4-5 years of strong growth with excellent athlete performance. The board will seek additional funding from other sources and adjust plans accordingly, though budget constraints are affecting all sports."

The International Trade Promotion Department (DITP) under the Ministry of Commerce organized the "First 2025 T Mark Clinic" at Centara Grand CentralPlaza Ladprao Hotel in Bangkok to strengthen entrepreneurial capabilities and elevate Thai businesses to international standards through the Thailand Trust Mark (T Mark) certification.

The event was opened by Surin Sunthornanan, Deputy Director-General of the DITP, who introduced the Thailand Trust Mark program and its benefits. The T Mark symbolizes "trust" and "transparent image," serving as a key to sustainable growth for Thai products. The DITP launched the Thailand Trust Mark in 2012 to certify that products and services meet excellence standards while genuinely supporting social welfare, labor, and environmental concerns. The department signed memorandums of understanding with the Ministry of Labor (Labor Standards Development Office) and the Ministry of Industry (Industrial Works Department) to jointly certify this quality mark.

The clinic featured a seminar on "Brand Building Strategies to Win Markets and Value-Added Packaging Design" led by experienced speakers. Dr. Porpun Promwang, Regional General Manager of Asia Pacific Cosmetics Corporation (IN2IT brand), discussed how Thai cosmetics achieved international success through differentiated marketing strategies and quality. Chatsil Chaatbut, Administrative/CRM Manager of TPN Food Packaging Company, highlighted packaging's importance beyond aesthetics—it extends product shelf life and increases market value, particularly eco-friendly packaging that aligns with consumer sustainability concerns.

Over 100 entrepreneurs participated actively, exchanging experiences and success strategies. In the afternoon, the department operated multiple consulting clinics staffed by government and private experts covering: T Mark certification requirements and procedures, export guidance and market expansion through DITP 1669 Clinic, product exhibition platforms via Thaitrade.com, financing options from Exim Bank, labor standards and human rights from the Ministry of Labor, CSR implementation guidance, green industry transition pathways, and food packaging consulting through TPN Food Packaging Clinic. Entrepreneurs registered extensively for the consulting sessions.

Over 13 years, the T Mark has proven to be a crucial force supporting...

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.