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Thailand’s Immigration Bureau has denied reports that a Belarusian model who travelled to Bangkok for work was ‘forced’ to go to Myanmar, where she was reportedly killed by a scam gang who then sold her organs on the black market.

The incident was first reported by a Russian news outlet called Mash. It was subsequently picked up by international media and started circulating widely on social media last week.

The stories said that Vera Kravtsova, 26, had travelled from Belarus to Thailand in September for a modelling job interview in Bangkok. She was then forcefully made to go to Myanmar, where she was pressed into slavery in a scam centre.

When Kravtsova failed to meet her targets, she was tortured and killed and her organs were harvested and then sold, the reports said.

The gang allegedly demanded $500,000 from her family for the return of her remains, but later refused to cooperate and told her parents she had been cremated.

The killing took place somewhere in northern Myanmar, the reports said, without providing further details.

Pol Maj Gen Choengron Rimpadee, a spokesman for the Immigration Bureau, on Tuesday said its investigations determined that Kravtsova was not ‘forced’ to cross into Myanmar from Thailand.

She arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport on the morning of Sept 14 and later left the country on a flight to Yangon, Pol Maj Gen Choengron said.

She passed through Thai immigration via the automatic channel by herself, with CCTV footage showing no signs that she was being coerced or under any pressure from anyone.

‘The reported brutal incidents happened after the model flew to Myanmar,’ Pol Maj Gen Choengron said. ‘Thai police do not know what happened there as it is outside our authority.’

A mountain of dead batteries is piling up. If Thailand does nothing, these seemingly innocuous yet toxic batteries will become a national crisis. Properly managed, they can fuel a new economic future.

The expansion of clean energy makes the problem even more acute. Around the world, electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage systems (ESS) are the future, driving the green revolution, and Thailand is racing to catch up. At the heart of it all are batteries.

But batteries don’t last forever. And when they die, they don’t just disappear. They become hazardous waste — dangerous to the environment, costly to the economy, and harmful to public health. Without a strong, sustainable system to handle them, Thailand could face a new national crisis.

This is no distant threat. It is a ticking time bomb. In the past five years between 2020-2024, more than 600,000 EVs have been registered in Thailand. With an average EV battery life of eight to 10 years, the country will face more than 38,000 tonnes of EV waste batteries by 2031. This will rise to 160,000 tonnes by 2035. By 2045, it will approach 900,000 tonnes.

The trend is accelerating. In the first eight months of this year alone, more than 180,000 passenger EVs with up to seven seats were registered, according to the Department of Land Transport. This makes 51.75% of new cars in this segment. 

Imports tell the same story. In the past eight years, from 2017-2024, Thailand brought in more than 700,000 fully (CBU) and semi-assembled EVs (SKD), along with over 3,200 tonnes of parts (CKD) for local assembly.

During 2022-2024, Thailand also imported more than 1.7 million packs of lithium-ion batteries for EVs, along with over 100,000 nickel-metal hydride batteries.

These will start reaching the end of their lives after 2032. And it’s not just cars. Thailand also imports a huge number of electric bicycles, scooters, and mobile phones, all powered by batteries destined one day to be waste.

Overall, Thailand has imported over 3,900 tonnes of imported e-bikes, more than 21,000 e-scooters, and more than 120 million mobile phones.

Altogether, Thailand has spent more than 1.3 trillion baht importing batteries of all kinds. Yet the country still does not have a clear plan for what happens when these batteries reach the end of their lives.

What will happen if there are no viable measures to dispose of this toxic waste?

The risks are severe. Toxic metals and chemicals would seep into the soil and water, damaging ecosystems and human health. The economy would also suffer, as valuable raw materials would be contaminated and go to waste. The government would have to spend heavily to get rid of hazardous waste or send it to other countries for disposal.

Thailand would also remain at the mercy of volatile raw material prices, shaped by geopolitics in raw material supplies. But every coin has two sides. From a liability, battery waste could be turned into “treasure”. If properly harnessed, it could be a new economic resource for the country. 

Batteries contain valuable metals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel and manganese that can be processed and retrieved for use by new industries. Recycling them not only helps the environment, but it also means new jobs, stronger GDP, and a healthier circular economy.

The question now is whether Thailand will allow battery waste to grow into a crisis or turn it into an advantage that strengthens the economy and industry.

To avoid ending up with “mountains of dead batteries”, Thailand must act fast. We recommend six steps.

First, the country needs clear-cut legislation to regulate the safe storage, reuse, and recycling of all types of batteries.

Secondly, producers and importers must be held responsible for end-of-life batteries through the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) principle in waste management instead of leaving the burden to the public.

Third is that a “battery passport” mechanism must be created to trace each battery throughout its life.  

The fourth step is about more effective regulation. The government and responsible ministries must be vigilant in monitoring and regulating recycling plants, create a quality market for recycled materials, and require new batteries to contain a minimum level of recycled content.

Fifth is about better knowledge of recycling rare earth materials. The Thai government needs to invest in research and the development of technologies to inspect, sort, and recycle batteries at low cost to accommodate Thailand’s needs.

Last but not least is conducive legislation. Thailand must have updated and relevant legislation to deal with EV and electronic device batteries. The law must determine which parties are responsible for paying disposal fees.

In addition, there are many questions and challenges that the government needs to address. Socially, there must be a mechanism to persuade people to return used batteries rather than reuse or repurpose them in ways that endanger leaks and contamination. Environmentally, should Thailand build its own recycling facilities or work with neighbours on a regional basis?

And perhaps the biggest question is this: should Thailand allow the import of waste batteries to make the recycling industry more cost-effective? If the government wants to push ahead, strict rules and safeguards will be crucial to prevent Thailand from becoming a dumping ground.

The choice is obvious. Mismanaged, dead batteries will poison soil, water, and lives, draining the economy along the way. Managed wisely, they could become a new power source to electrify jobs, industry, and Thailand’s long-term competitiveness.

Green batteries sound like good news for the environment. Yet, these batteries will die. What Thailand does with them could decide whether the country will have to face a toxic legacy or will turn waste into the fuel of economic power.

IRPC Public Company Limited (IRPC), led by Narisa Tumma-upakorn, Executive Vice President, Corporate People and Organisation Effectiveness, has donated funds to the Coral Reef and Marine Life Conservation Foundation of Thailand under the Patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, represented by Admiral Suwin Jaengyodsuk, Vice President of the Foundation.

The contribution supports ongoing efforts to conserve and restore Thailand’s marine ecosystems while raising environmental awareness across the nation. The initiative includes programmes such as reef nurseries, waste management projects, educational exhibitions, and conservation training, all in line with Her Royal Highness’s royal commitment to foster cooperation and long-term sustainability in marine life preservation.

The Royal Thai Police (RTP) has intensified checks on foreigners on Koh Samui and Koh Phangan following the discovery of multiple legal violations, including nominee businesses, land encroachment and unauthorised work, deputy national police chief Pol Gen Samran Nuanma has announced.

Pol Gen Samran chaired a high-level meeting focused on preventing and suppressing illegal foreign activities in Surat Thani on Monday. Attendees included Surat Thani deputy governor Bandarn Sathirachawal, head of the provincial task force on foreign law enforcement, and representatives from related agencies.

He said cracking down on crimes committed by foreigners that harm Thai citizens is a top priority for the government and the RTP. Offenders, collaborators and any complicit officials would face legal action, he vowed.

The National Police Chief has directed the task force to enforce the law strictly, transparently and continuously to restore public confidence among residents and visitors, Pol Gen Samran added.

Responding to concerns from the private sector about negative media coverage affecting tourism, he stressed that preventive and enforcement operations must be clearly communicated. Law-abiding foreigners and tourists would be treated fairly and not subjected to harassment or illicit demands, he said.

Immigration officers and Region 8 Provincial Police have been instructed to review visa renewal records and irregular registrations across the southern provinces. Inspections will target suspicious transactions rather than specific nationalities and will be coordinated with other provincial agencies.

The meeting also reviewed ongoing investigations and arrests of foreigners involved in unlicensed car rentals, unauthorised tour operations and other unlawful business activities on both islands.

Authorities will expand inspections into land ownership, nominee structures and misuse of state land, and verify building permits, construction projects and demolitions.

Pol Col Apisan Chairat, Superintendent of Division 5 under the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division (NED), reported that investigations are underway against several foreigners, including Israeli nationals, accused of altering land, removing rock formations and constructing villas within protected forest zones.

Authorities are also examining complaints about private parties allegedly held on leased land inside Than Sadet Waterfall National Park.

Pol Col Apisan said prosecutions are being advanced under the “Samui Model” initiative, which targets land encroachment and environmental violations.

Half of Asia-Pacific businesses have been forced to urgently re-evaluate their tech infrastructure following a wave of high-profile IT outages, according to Expereo, a multinational provider of managed networks as a service.

Network instability is taking a serious toll on businesses in the region, with over 50% reporting revenue losses of $5 million or more due to network outages or poor performance. The findings come from an IDC InfoBrief commissioned by Expereo, titled “Enterprise Horizons 2025: Technology Leaders Priorities: Achieving Digital Agility”.

In light of the challenges seen over the past year, ranging from cybersecurity breaches to connectivity failures, 40% of tech leaders in the region now report that networking and connectivity have risen higher on the C-suite agenda.

The broader impact is that networking/connectivity and cybersecurity now top the list of investment priorities for Asia-Pacific businesses over the next 12 months: 48% for networking/connectivity, 46% for cybersecurity, followed by AI at 38%.

Last year, AI took the top spot in the survey at 43%, followed by cybersecurity (39%) and networking/connectivity (37%). This highlights that AI is no longer the most urgent technology priority.

The urgency is well-founded. More than one in four Asia-Pacific organisations (30.7%) say that inadequate network and connectivity performance is actively threatening their growth plans for the coming year.

At the same time, 44% report that network limitations are holding back their ability to support large-scale data and AI initiatives. Alarmingly, just 8% of businesses in the region believe their networks are fully prepared to support AI without any barriers.

“To drive a sustainable competitive advantage, connectivity is no longer an IT concern — it is a strategic business imperative,” said Ben Elms, CEO of Amsterdam-headquartered Expereo.

“The research confirms what many technology leaders are already experiencing firsthand: connectivity is now the backbone of business. As organisations race to adopt new AI solutions, the C-suite must treat network performance with the same urgency as cybersecurity and AI itself, because without it, businesses simply cannot succeed.”

Eric Wong, Expereo president for Asia Pacific, said there is now a direct correlation between network performance and bottom-line success.

With nearly a third (28.7%) of businesses in Asia Pacific experiencing revenue losses exceeding $5 million from network outages, the financial stakes are higher than ever — and it is no surprise that businesses are now prioritising investment in networking and cybersecurity more than anything else.

“This strategic shift is critical for building the robust digital foundation needed to not only support large-scale data and AI initiatives but also to drive resilient, sustainable growth across the region,” said Mr Wong.

Having the right talent in place is also critical for building and maintaining the robust network and connectivity infrastructure that businesses need to thrive. However, the research suggests this may be easier said than done.

Networking tops the list of areas where organisations in Asia Pacific struggle to find or retain skilled professionals (37.5%), closely followed by cybersecurity (31.6%).

One in four (23%) Asia Pacific businesses say they plan to increase their reliance on external partners, such as vendors or managed service providers, to help bridge this skills gap, the survey found.

Boon Rawd Brewery Co., Ltd. has won two Gold Awards at the International Conference on Quality (ICQ) Japan 2025, a world-class competition recognising excellence in production quality management. The winning projects were presented by two subsidiaries – Khon Kaen Brewery Co., Ltd. and Boonrawd Asia Beverage Co., Ltd. – reflecting the company’s strong commitment to achieving the highest production standards.

Mr Piti Bhirombhakdi, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Production Officer of Boon Rawd Brewery Co., Ltd., said, ‘Winning two global awards from the ICQ is the result of the dedication of all our employees, who have continuously improved and optimised production processes while upholding social and environmental responsibility. Our success comes from blending innovation with a people-centred corporate culture – the true heart of long-term success.’

Both winning subsidiaries stood out for their creative ideas, methodologies, and employee engagement, earning their place among over 110 teams in the Thailand QC Convention and representing the nation on the ICQ World stage. Their achievement underscores Boon Rawd’s excellence in quality management at an international level.

The ICQ is an internationally recognised platform certified by Japan’s Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers (JUSE) – a leading organisation in quality management that gathers experts from around the world to exchange knowledge. Khon Kaen Brewery and Boonrawd Asia Beverage play key roles in producing Boon Rawd’s signature beverages, including Singha, Leo, Singha Soda Water, Singha Drinking Water, and Purra Mineral Water.

Buriram United started off with a defeat under their new coach Mark Jackson as the Thunder Castle were beaten 2-1 by Melbourne City in an AFC Champions League Elite encounter at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Australia on Tuesday.

Goran Causic had given the Thai League 1 champions a 72nd-minute lead but new Melbourne City signing Elbasan Rashani cancelled that out in the 84th minute before Max Caputo struck the winner for Aurelio Vidmar’s side deep into stoppage time.

Caputo’s goal moved his team onto three points from three matches in the eastern zone league and level with Buriram United, who have now lost two matches in a row, including their first under new coach Jackson.

Buriram goalkeeper Neil Etheridge was forced to race off his line in the fourth minute to block an early opportunity for Caputo, the Philippines international denying the youngster at close range after Kavian Rahmani’s pass into the area.

Buriram United thought they had taken the lead three minutes into first half stoppage time when Causic nodded in Peter Zulj’s free-kick from the right as it bent towards the target, but the effort was ruled out for offside after a VAR review.

Causic found the back of the net with 18 minutes remaining, the Serbian midfielder pouncing to fire into the top corner from close range after Patrick Beach had saved Zulj’s initial effort.

Melbourne City levelled with six minutes remaining when substitute Rashani slammed home a cross from their captain Aziz Behich.

Caputo then slid in to net the winner seven minutes into stoppage time.

Battle of winless sides

Thailand’s Ratchaburi host Eastern FC from Hong Kong with both teams needing a win to keep their knockout stage hopes alive in the Group F of the AFC Champions League Two on Wednesday.

The match will be played at Ratchaburi Stadium and will kick off at 7.15pm.

Ratchaburi are still looking for their first win in the ACL Two, the same as their opponents Eastern FC.

SCX Corporation, the recurring-income asset management arm of SET-listed developer SC Asset Corporation, plans to invest 2 billion baht to develop a second hotel in Pattaya, and is seeking a joint venture partner for the project.

Rachod Nantakwang, chief executive of SCX, said the hotel will be developed on a leasehold plot in Pattaya city, with the company working on a high-rise tower design.

“Recurring-income assets are capital-intensive,” he said. “We plan to co-invest with partners for all projects of that type, and eventually exit by selling the asset to a real estate investment trust [REIT].”

For hotels, the optimal time for a REIT sale is after three years of operation, once occupancy reaches around 80%, while warehouses typically mature for sale within a year as occupancy fills faster, said Mr Rachod.

The new Pattaya hotel will be announced next year and is scheduled for completion between 2029 and 2030, he said.

The company’s first hotel, The Standard Pattaya Na Jomtien, opened on Tuesday and is a joint venture with SET-listed contractor Syntec Construction, which holds a 55% stake, with a total investment of 1.3 billion baht. SCX holds a 45% stake.

The 161-room property is located on a beachfront leasehold plot under a 30-year contract.

The Standard Pattaya Na Jomtien features a ballroom and meeting facilities, targeting 70% independent travellers and 30% corporate guests.

“The tourism market has evolved,” said Mr Rachod. “Travellers now seek unique and stylish hotels rather than traditional ones. The Standard Pattaya is enjoying over 91% occupancy on weekends through the end of the year.

“Although Chinese travellers have been slower to return, Pattaya continues to attract visitors from Europe, Malaysia and Singapore. When Chinese tourists come back, they may be fewer in number but spend more, which aligns with our target market.”

He said Phuket and Bangkok are SCX’s next target destinations, with plans for 2-3 more hotels, each with at least 200 rooms.

Projects could be greenfield and also brownfield, with developments completed faster.

The parent firm SC also holds a plot in Hua Hin, but will wait for road construction to finish before developing a hotel there. Chiang Mai, however, is not on the company’s radar.

Mr Rachod said SCX will co-invest with a partner in VOCO Bangkok Siam, a new 350-room hotel in the Siam area, with a 2.2-billion-baht investment, scheduled to open by 2029.

The hotel will be SCX’s fourth, following the 78-room YANH Ratchawat, wholly owned by SCX and opened in 2023, and the 306-room Kromo Bangkok, Curio Collection by Hilton, opened last month in a joint venture with Japanese property firm Daiwa House.

“This year, 17-18% of SC’s revenue is expected to come from SCX, faster than projected, with a 2030 target of 25% –half from hotels, half from warehouses and offices,” he said.

Building on the findings of its earlier survey on public perceptions of platform work, Kantar Insights Thailand, with support from Bolt, has released the second phase of its nationwide survey. The new findings highlight that platform work is not only widely respected, but also serves as a vital source of financial stability, skill development, and life progress for thousands of Thai drivers.

According to the data, 93% of drivers say platform work has improved their household’s financial stability, allowing them to achieve tangible milestones such as purchasing vehicles or funding education.

44% have bought a motorcycle,

43% have purchased a car, and

30% have paid for education for themselves or family members.

Most drivers work 21-30 hours per week, with around 29% earning between ?20,001 and ?40,000 per month, roughly 154% higher than Thailand’s average monthly wage of ?15,738 (Q4 2024). This underscores the strong earning potential and flexibility that platform work offers.

‘Platform work is not just a job. It’s an enabler of financial freedom and personal growth,’ said Nathadon Suksiritarnan, General Manager, Bolt Thailand. ‘The survey clearly shows that drivers are building better lives for themselves and their families through flexible, independent work that fits their lifestyles and ambitions.’

Earlier findings from Bolt and Kantar revealed that 97% of drivers feel respected by society, challenging outdated stereotypes that platform work is ‘only for the young’ or ‘for the unskilled.’ The new results reinforce this shift in perception, showing that drivers not only value flexibility but also gain professional and financial empowerment. Drivers consistently cite flexibility as the top reason for partnering with digital platforms.

99% say platform work helps them better manage personal and family responsibilities.

88% report having full or significant control over their schedules. The ability to ‘be your own boss’ and earn on one’s own terms remains central to why people choose this work.

Beyond income, the survey reveals platform work as a source of professional development.

63% of drivers say they have improved their time management and customer service skills.

53% have gained new digital and communication skills.

Nearly half report improvements in navigation, logistics, and financial literacy.

‘Drivers today are digital entrepreneurs,’ added Nathadon. ‘They’re gaining real-world experience that translates into valuable professional skills, from managing time and budgets to building customer relationships.’

The release of these findings comes at a pivotal moment as Thailand advances its Digital Platform Economy policy-led by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (MDES) and its agency, the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA). Both bodies play a central role in shaping an inclusive and innovation-friendly digital ecosystem that supports fair competition and sustainable digital economy growth.

MDES’s Digital Economy and Society Development Plan outlines national goals to expand digital infrastructure, strengthen digital literacy, and promote inclusive participation in the digital economy. ETDA, meanwhile, oversees implementation of the Royal Decree on the Supervision of Digital Platform Services (B.E. 2565), which enhances transparency, user protection, and responsible platform operations.

‘Platform work has become a vital part of Thailand’s economy,’ said Nathadon. ‘As Thailand’s digital platform policies evolve, regulation should empower this workforce-supporting innovation, flexibility, and the well-being of hundreds of thousands of Thais who choose this profession.’

In this context, the Kantar survey provides valuable, data-driven insights to support evidence-based policymaking-helping regulators understand how platform work contributes to economic inclusion, upskilling, and household resilience across Thailand.

A border fence project proposed by Thailand was a highlight of the two-day Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) meeting that ended on Wednesday in Chanthaburi, say sources at the meeting.

Participants addressed various urgent matters, particularly Thai complaints about Cambodian nationals encroaching on Thai territory in Ban Nong Chan and Ban Nong Ya Kaeo in Khok Sung district of Sa Kaeo.

The Thai delegation informed their Cambodian counterparts of the plan to construct a straight-line border fence connecting boundary markers previously agreed on by both sides, the sources said.

Construction of the fence is expected to take place from boundary markers 52 to 59, covering a distance of 8.4 kilometres in Pong Nam Ron district of Chanthaburi province, the meeting was told.

It will be about 3.5 metres high and must be durable and permanent, with the capacity to prevent intrusion, vandalism, dismantling and illegal crossings, whether by people tunnelling underneath or climbing over.

Discussions also covered planned revisions to the 2003 terms of reference, to incorporate LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology for aerial mapping purposes. Notably, the meeting did not involve discussions on formal border demarcation, the sources said.

The outcomes of the JBC meeting will be reported to the secretariat of the Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC), which met on Tuesday and Wednesday to prepare for a special session of the GBC on Thursday in Kuala Lumpur.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said he had received a progress report on the GBC meeting in the Malaysian capital, adding that the talks appear to be moving forward positively.

The GBC deals with border security issues chaired by defence ministers. The JBC focuses on legal and technical land demarcation led by foreign ministry officials, while the Regional Border Committee (RBC) handles regional border management and cooperation, involving military commanders.

Mr Anutin will be in Kuala Lumpur for this weekend’s Asian Summit. Among others in attendance will be US President Donald Trump, who expects to preside over the signing of some kind of ‘peace agreement’ between Thailand and Cambodia to bolster his Nobel credentials.

However, it is not yet clear whether there will be anything to sign.