The Pizza Company will cease operations in Cambodia as its local operator prepares to launch a new homegrown brand following a corporate restructuring.
Express Food Group Cambodia (EFG Cambodia), one of the country’s long-established quick service restaurant operators, has shifted its ownership to Singapore-based Palms Food International Pte. Ltd. under a share transfer agreement involving Thailand-based EFG Holdings.
As a result, EFG Cambodia will introduce its own Cambodian pizza brand, expected to launch in May. Existing Pizza Company outlets across the country will be rebranded under the new concept.
The Pizza Company, a Thai multinational chain founded in Bangkok in 1980, expanded to Cambodia in 2006 and currently operates in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Battambang, Sihanoukville and Kampong Cham.
The move marks a shift towards a locally developed brand, replacing the long-running international franchise in the Cambodian market.
A Thai police officer has gone viral after posting a video showing a taxi driver allegedly refusing passengers and violating multiple traffic rules near Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok.
The clip was shared on Facebook by an officer known as “Jaa Auan Bolikhamsai,” who works at the Vibhavadi Rangsit Traffic Control Centre under the Traffic Police Division.
In the post, the officer said the taxi was “parking and waiting for passengers, then refusing them after they got in,” adding that the driver had three outstanding fines and was not properly dressed.
In the video, the officer is seen riding a motorcycle past a taxi parked along the roadside near the airport entrance, where two passengers were reportedly trying to get a ride. After the driver refused them, the officer stopped and questioned the situation.
He then admonished the driver for allegedly selecting passengers instead of providing service fairly, before speaking to the passengers and checking whether they needed assistance in finding another vehicle.
The officer later inspected the driver’s documents and issued charges for refusing passengers and illegal stopping to wait for passengers, with fines of 500 baht each, totalling 1,000 baht.
According to the post, the driver initially attempted to negotiate for only one charge, but the officer added a third charge for improper attire.
The taxi driver was also found to have three previous unpaid fines, meaning this case became the fourth offence recorded.
After issuing the penalties, the officer instructed the driver to immediately move the vehicle and not remain parked in the area.
The video drew widespread attention online, with many netizens praising the officer for strict enforcement and saying such actions could improve discipline among taxi drivers and serve as a warning to others.
Thailand and Laos have agreed to deepen cooperation on tackling cross-border haze pollution and sustainable environmental management under the “Clear Sky Strategy”, officials said on Wednesday.
At 09:30am on 29 April, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin led a delegation to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic for talks with Lao Agriculture and Environment Minister Dr. Linkham Duangsavanh, focusing on joint efforts to address transboundary haze and environmental management.
Both sides reaffirmed commitments under the trilateral framework involving Thailand, Laos and Myanmar, aimed at tackling seasonal haze and forest fire pollution across the region.
The talks focused on implementing a joint action plan on cross-border haze management for 2024–2030, including the development of Laos’ air quality reporting platform and a push to establish a national air quality data centre.
Both countries also agreed to strengthen real-time coordination through a “WhatsApp Hotline CLEAR Sky” system at director-general level, designed to improve rapid response during the burning season and monitor haze, forest fires and PM2.5 pollution.
Other measures include developing shared fire-risk maps, strengthening a trilateral forest fire prevention and suppression network with Myanmar, and promoting zero-burning agricultural practices under GAP standards. A traceability system for agricultural products, particularly animal feed corn, was also discussed to ensure supply chains are not linked to crop burning.
Thailand also proposed a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the two ministries to better reflect current environmental challenges and Laos’ updated administrative structure.
Officials said the visit marked a step forward in regional environmental cooperation, reflecting Thailand’s proactive role in addressing transboundary haze through scientific cooperation, technology sharing and joint management to improve public health and support sustainable development in the region.
BANGKOK — 29 April 2026, Thailand’s National Energy Policy Council has approved two measures to cut household electricity bills and promote rooftop solar, Energy Minister Ekkanat Promphan said.
Speaking at Government House alongside Industry Minister Varawut Silpa-archa, Ekkanat said the council agreed to expand support for residential solar installations, allowing households to generate their own electricity and sell excess power back to the grid.
Under the plan, installation procedures will be streamlined under a cabinet resolution, with distribution utilities offering a one-stop service. Households generating surplus electricity will be able to sell it at 2.20 baht per unit, with sales expected to begin after June 2026.
The government will also sharply increase its solar power purchase cap from 90 megawatts to 500 megawatts per round, with further expansions planned once each quota is filled. Authorities aim to maximise adoption by effectively turning residential rooftops into small-scale power generators.
The second measure introduces a progressive electricity tariff structure for residential users only, excluding businesses, shops and industrial operators.
Households consuming up to 200 units per month will pay less than 3 baht per unit. Those using between 200 and 500 units will also see lower average costs under a tiered pricing system, Ekkanat said.
He added that more than 90% of households, around 21 million, are expected to benefit, particularly those with monthly bills below 2,200 baht.
Ekkanat rejected concerns that the policy would shift costs onto industrial users, saying the revised tariff structure applies only to residential consumers and does not affect existing rates for businesses.
To support solar adoption, the government is working with the Finance Ministry to provide instalment-based financing, allowing households to install rooftop systems at costs lower than their electricity bills. State utilities have been tasked with studying investment and offering low-cost installation services for those without upfront funds.
Responding to questions, Ekkanat said households using no more than 200 units could see bills fall by about 20%, while those using up to 400 units could see reductions of around 10%.
He confirmed the тариф scheme would remain in place for the duration of the government’s term and said approval processes for rooftop solar would be simplified by removing local permit requirements. Installations for self-use must be completed within seven days, or within 30 days if electricity is to be sold back to the grid.
Varawut reiterated that the measures apply only to residential properties and would not impose additional burdens on industrial users, amid concerns raised by the Federation of Thai Industries.
President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump greet Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla at the South Portico of the White House as they arrive for a State Dinner Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
WASHINGTON (AP) — King Charles III marked the 250th anniversary of American independence from Britain with gratitude that the two countries united to build “one of the most consequential alliances in human history” while urging “that we ignore the clarion calls to become ever more inward-looking.”
Speaking Tuesday to a joint session of the U.S. Congress, Charles repeatedly highlighted the historical and cultural ties that he said have cemented an enduring bond between the United States and the United Kingdom. But even as he spoke in unifying, optimistic terms, he delivered a series of nuanced warnings encouraging leaders in the U.S. to remain collaborative and engaged in global affairs.
He said the alliance between the U.S. and the U.K., tested anew by President Donald Trump’s war in Iran, “cannot rest on past achievements.” Charles urged “unyielding resolve” in backing Ukraine against Russia and heralded the NATO alliance that Trump has consistently undermined.
Britain’s King Charles III waves as Queen Camilla, Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson of La., watch after a speech to a joint meeting of Congress in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
The king praised religious pluralism and interfaith dialogue in terms that are rare in Trump’s Washington. As the White House rolls back regulations aimed at denting climate change, the king encouraged those in power to “reflect on our shared responsibility to safeguard nature, our most precious and irreplaceable asset.”
At one point, Charles traced the notion of checks and balances on executive power to the Magna Carta, the foundational legal document sealed by King John in 1215. Trump told The New York Times earlier this year that he was constrained only by “my own morality.”
And acknowledging a scandal that has roiled politics in both the U.S. and U.K., Charles subtly alluded to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender with ties to British officials, including the king’s brother, Andrew.
King celebrates independence and focuses on repairing a frayed relationship
Charles is on a four-day visit to the U.S. intended to both celebrate American independence and to repair the country’s fraying relationship with the U.K. He hardly arrived in Washington as an oppositional figure to Trump. Joined by Queen Camilla, Charles had a warm greeting with the president and first lady Melania Trump at the White House earlier Tuesday.
In his welcome remarks, Trump also highlighted the shared history between the two countries.
“American patriots today can sing, ’My country, ’tis of thee, sweet land of liberty,’ only because our colonial ancestors first sang, ‘God save the king,’” Trump said.
The leaders met privately in the Oval Office for a meeting Trump later described as “really good,” adding that Charles is a “fantastic person.”
Trump hosted the royal couple for a jovial state dinner later Tuesday in the East Room of the White House. About 130 guests were seated at two long tables that were decorated with low floral arrangements. The guests included tech leaders such as outgoing Apple CEO Tim Cook and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, along with conservative Supreme Court justices and several Fox News journalists and hosts.
Charles and Camilla will continue their U.S. tour this week with stops in New York City and Virginia.
During his roughly 20-minute speech to Congress, the king, who is expressly apolitical, never directly criticized Trump. Still, the contrast was apparent at times and some British commentators described his speech as more political than they had expected.
Congress applauds as Britain’s King Charles III speaks to a joint meeting of Congress in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol, Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Just two months earlier, Trump stood at the same lectern and chided Democrats for not standing during part of his State of the Union address. The king, for his part, elicited multiple standing ovations from Democrats and Republicans who listened with rapt attention.
Charles is just the second British monarch to address a joint session of Congress. His mother, Queen Elizabeth II, delivered a similar speech in 1991 highlighting the historic ties between both countries and the importance of their democratic values.
Charles acknowledges a ‘more volatile and more dangerous’ world
While the king paid tribute to those remarks, he acknowledged that today’s environment is “more volatile and more dangerous than the world to which my late mother spoke.”
Many of the lawmakers in the room were at Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner, which was disrupted by a shooting that authorities have described as an attempted assassination against Trump.
“Let me say with unshakeable resolve,” Charles said. “Such acts of violence will never succeed.”
Meanwhile, Trump’s up-and-down relationship with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has taken a particularly sour turn over the past several months as the Republican president has sought to rally international support for the war in Iran. Trump criticized Starmer, who has largely resisted his overtures, by saying, “This is not Winston Churchill that we’re dealing with.”
Britain’s King Charles III toasts with President Donald Trump during a State Dinner with first lady Melania Trump and Queen Camilla in the East Room of the White House State Dinner Tuesday, April 28, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Trump has also imposed tariffs on the U.K. and warned of additional levies despite a Supreme Court ruling earlier this year that has made such unilateral moves more challenging. Trump threatened just last week to slap a “big tariff” on the U.K. if it doesn’t scrap a digital services tax on U.S. technology companies.
Trump has more broadly challenged the traditional trans-Atlantic alliance with efforts to annex Greenland and threats to walk away from NATO. He has repeatedly imposed tariffs on and taunted Canada, a member of the British Commonwealth.
Ahead of his speech, the king had faced some calls on Capitol Hill to meet with Epstein’s victims while he is in the U.S. He didn’t make a direct mention of the convicted sex offender, but did reference the “collective strength” in the U.S. and the U.K. to “support victims of some of the ills that, so tragically, exist in both our societies today.”
If Charles offered low-key criticism of Trump, the president didn’t seem to mind. He said later that the king “made a great speech.”
CHIANG MAI — 29 April 2026, Immigration police in Chiang Mai have arrested a British national for overstaying his visa, officials said.
Pol. Col. Phitthakphong Charoenkul, superintendent of Chiang Mai Immigration, and Pol. Lt. Col. Nattaphon Chumbuatong, deputy superintendent, said an investigation team had been assigned to track down foreign nationals violating immigration laws or other offences.
On 28 April 2026, immigration investigators, working with officers from Immigration Division 5, inspected an area along Samlan Road in Phra Sing subdistrict, Mueang district, following a tip-off from a member of the public about an illegal foreign resident.
Officers arrested one British man on a charge of “being a foreign national staying in the Kingdom after permission had expired”. He was informed of the charge and his legal rights before being handed over to investigators at Mueang Chiang Mai Police Station for further legal proceedings.
The suspect admitted entering Thailand under the visa exemption scheme, which allows nationals from 93 countries and territories to stay for up to 60 days per visit to support tourism and short-term business. He said he failed to leave the country or apply for an extension before his permitted stay expired.
Thailand has received no direct assistance from the United States to cope with the economic fallout from the ongoing Iran war, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said in an interview published by The Washington Post.
Speaking to the newspaper in Krabi, Sihasak said the conflict — involving the United States and Israel against Iran — has caused significant economic strain across Asia, particularly in energy and fertiliser supplies. “This war should not have taken place,” he said, adding that Washington has not approached Thailand with any concrete support measures.
According to the report, Sihasak noted that US officials appeared aware of the consequences but had not offered direct assistance, aside from suggesting countries purchase American oil and gas.
With limited support from its treaty ally, Thailand has begun seeking alternatives, including outreach to Russia and China, the report said.
The foreign minister reiterated that Bangkok does not wish to directly criticise Washington, but maintained the conflict should have been avoided. He made the remarks while hosting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Krabi.
The war, now stretching beyond two months, has disrupted global supply chains, with Asia particularly exposed due to its dependence on Middle Eastern energy and fertilisers. Prices for key inputs such as urea have surged, while diesel costs in Thailand have reached record highs, the report noted.
Thailand has sought to secure fertiliser supplies ahead of the May planting season, including negotiations with Russia. However, concerns over potential US sanctions have complicated efforts to import Russian crude, Sihasak said.
He also told the newspaper that Thailand had requested China’s assistance to help ensure safe passage for Thai vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route affected by the conflict. China itself faces similar challenges, with dozens of its ships stranded in the area, according to the report.
KANCHANABURI — 29 April 2026, Villagers in Kanchanaburi province are on edge after large, crocodile-like footprints were found on a sandbank in the Mae Klong River, prompting an urgent inspection by officials.
Residents of Moo 3 in Wai Niao subdistrict, Tha Maka district, reported discovering the tracks on a mid-river islet, raising concerns among people living nearby. Community leaders have contacted the provincial fisheries office to verify the findings.
Naruenart Kongkaew, who first spotted the tracks, said he and friends had gone to the area when water levels dropped enough to allow access to the islet. There, they found marks resembling the drag of a large animal’s body across the ground, along with deep clawed footprints leading into the water.
“The size was clearly larger than a person’s body. It doesn’t look like a monitor lizard,” he said, adding that locals are now afraid to enter the water.
Later, Chalermphon Hongyon, head of a regional water rescue unit, inspected the area and found two large burrows. The surrounding ground showed signs of heavy disturbance, consistent with a large animal moving in and out of the water. He said body marks suggested a creature measuring at least 4 metres in length.
Villagers in nearby Ban Pong Tuek also reported finding a similar burrow about 3 metres deep, with matching traces.
Chalermphon said crocodiles typically bask on land during the day and retreat to burrows at night. However, he cautioned that it remains unconfirmed whether the animal is indeed a crocodile, pending a detailed inspection by fisheries officials.
In the meantime, the village head has issued a warning urging residents and fishermen to avoid the riverbank and refrain from entering the water until the species is identified, citing potential danger.
BANGKOK — 28 April 2026, Thai woman has turned an unusual hobby into a business, earning ten thousand baht by selling glow-in-the-dark keychains made from real mosquito remains.
The woman, identified as Lee, shared her story on TikTok, where she explained how she began collecting mosquito carcasses out of curiosity before transforming them into handmade products.
“I make money just by swatting mosquitoes every day,” she said, adding that she developed the idea into keychains that can glow, joking that the design might even scare other mosquitoes away.
She said the products have gained popularity at market booths, particularly among foreign customers, who often buy them as novelty souvenirs from Thailand.
Despite its quirky appeal, Lee said the process is complex and time-consuming. Each piece is handmade and can take several days, from catching mosquitoes to preserving, drying and embedding them in plastic frames.
“Sometimes the specimens are damaged before they are fully dried, so it is always uncertain which pieces will turn out well,” she said.
Lee has also begun purchasing mosquito remains from others under specific conditions, including prohibiting breeding mosquitoes for sale. Sellers are paid based on quality, with prices ranging from 1 to 2 baht per mosquito, and additional labour costs provided.
She said packaging is a crucial step, requiring careful handling to prevent damage, contamination or ants, with instructions for flat paper packaging and proper spacing of specimens.
The keychains are sold for 149 baht each, with an additional 30 baht for delivery. All items are made to order, with delivery taking around 7 to 14 days.
Lee said the business reflects her belief that people should pursue what they enjoy, even if others see it as unusual.
Amid continuously rising temperatures caused by extreme heat and global heatwaves, a critical health risk that should not be overlooked is heatstroke. This condition is becoming increasingly common during hot weather, especially among high-risk groups such as the elderly, young children, outdoor workers, and individuals with underlying conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension.
Heatstroke is not just general heat exhaustion—it is a medical emergency. It occurs when the body is unable to dissipate heat effectively, causing a rapid rise in body temperature that disrupts the function of vital organs, particularly the brain and heart. Without timely treatment, it can lead to severe complications or even death.
Dr. Suresh Kumar Narula, a specialist in cardiology, critical care medicine, coronary artery disease, and diagnostic angiography at Praram 9 Hospital, explains:
“Heatstroke occurs when the body temperature rises above 40–40.5°C, reaching a critical level. The brain’s temperature regulation system fails, and the body can no longer release heat through sweating. As a result, the patient’s skin becomes extremely hot but dry, with no sweat. Internal organs begin to suffer damage immediately.”
A key warning sign of heatstroke is a body temperature above 40.5°C without sweating, despite intense heat. This indicates failure of the brain’s temperature control system. The brain is the most heat-sensitive organ—once the temperature exceeds this threshold, brain cells begin to shut down. Patients may experience confusion, seizures, or loss of consciousness. This triggers a domino effect, where damage rapidly spreads to the heart, liver, and kidneys, causing acute inflammation.
In severe cases, this may lead to Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)—a dangerous condition involving abnormal blood clotting throughout the body, which can be life-threatening.
Dr. Suresh emphasizes that the key to treating heatstroke is time:
“Every minute counts. The faster we can lower the body temperature, the higher the chance of survival. This principle is similar to ‘Time is Brain’ or ‘Time is Muscle’ in stroke and heart attack patients.”
Heatstroke affects the entire body. The heart may develop serious arrhythmias due to electrical disturbances. While it may not stop immediately like in cardiac arrest, delayed treatment can lead to heart failure. At the same time, patients may suffer acute kidney failure, severe liver damage, and abnormal blood clotting, accelerating multi-organ failure.
High-risk groups for heatstroke include:
Individuals with weakened physical conditions, such as children, the elderly, and patients with chronic diseases (especially heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension)
Healthy individuals engaging in intense outdoor activities, during the afternoon hours when heat is intense such as athletes or laborers
Patients with heart disease and diabetes are particularly vulnerable because their bodies already have underlying weaknesses. When exposed to extreme heat, these organs are affected first, leading to faster and more severe complications. If hospital treatment is delayed, survival rates may drop below 50%.
First Aid for Suspected Heatstroke:
If someone is suspected of having heatstroke, the most important action is to seek immediate medical attention.
Move the patient to a shaded or air-conditioned area
If conscious, allow them to drink cool water
Generally, the heart is still beating, so CPR is not the primary first aid unless the patient has stopped breathing
The priority is to get the patient to the nearest hospital as quickly as possible. Every minute is critical. With prompt treatment, recovery to normal life is possible.
Dr. Suresh also clarifies a common misconception:
Many people confuse heatstroke with stroke due to similar symptoms. However, the causes are entirely different.
Stroke is caused by blocked or ruptured blood vessels in the brain, leading to lack of blood and oxygen
Heatstroke is caused by excessive heat overwhelming the body’s temperature regulation system
Stroke symptoms include facial drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech, and vision problems—commonly remembered with the FAST (Face, Arm, Speech, Time) principle.
In contrast, heatstroke is characterized by extreme body heat without sweating, along with neurological symptoms such as confusion, delirium, seizures, or unconsciousness.
Prevention Tips:
Stay well-hydrated throughout the day
Avoid outdoor exposure between 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, when temperatures are highest
Maintain good health through proper nutrition and regular exercise (at least 5 days per week, 30–40 minutes per session)
For more information about heatstroke, please contact the Cardiovascular Institute at Praram 9 Hospital or call +66 (0) 2202-9999, or reach us via Facebook: @Praram9Hospital.International
