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China has reaffirmed its strong partnership with Thailand, pledging closer cooperation in trade, modern industries, infrastructure, and regional stability, while emphasising its neutral stance on border issues between Thailand and Cambodia.

The commitment came during a courtesy visit on Friday by Chinese Ambassador Zhang Jianwei to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul at Government House, marking the start of the ambassador’s official term.

Mr Anutin warmly welcomed the ambassador, expressing his appreciation for the long-standing Thai-Chinese friendship, which has thrived for more than 50 years.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening cooperation across economic, social, and technological fronts, emphasising that collaboration with China is essential to Thailand’s ambition to become a regional hub for trade, investment and innovation.

Mr Anutin thanked the Chinese government for its consistent support and expressed confidence that the new ambassador would continue to advance the partnership between the two nations.

Mr Zhang conveyed warm greetings and best wishes from Chinese Premier Li Qiang, expressing his admiration for the prime minister’s dedication to public service, including his active visits to communities and border areas.

He emphasised that the relationship between Thailand and China is built on mutual respect, equality, and trust, describing the two nations as “brothers” who share common aspirations for peace and prosperity.

He also commended Thailand’s active regional role, citing his recent visit to Laos as a reflection of growing cooperation in the Mekong region.

During the meeting, both sides discussed expanding cooperation in key areas.

On trade and agriculture, Mr Anutin thanked China for supporting Thai exports, particularly rice and tropical fruits, which benefit local farmers.

Political tension is rising ahead of next week’s first meeting of the constitutional amendment committee, with both the People’s Party (PP) and Pheu Thai preparing to field their own candidates for the chairmanship — a contest that could shape the next phase of Thailand’s charter rewrite.

The PP announced plans to nominate list-MP Nutthawut Buaprathum for the chairmanship, while Pheu Thai will nominate senior figure Chousak Sirinil, a former minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, to contest the post. PP spokesman Parit Wacharasindhu said the chairmanship position should go to their representative since their draft has been adopted as the principal version for parliamentary deliberation.

“I am not yet aware whether other parties will nominate their own candidates, but from the People’s Party’s perspective, since our draft is the main version, it is appropriate that the People’s Party should chair the committee and we nominate Mr Nutthawut for the position,” he said.

If other parties also put forward nominees, a vote will be held, though Mr Parit believes it will not hinder the committee’s work. He said the committee will meet for the first time on Monday to set its working framework, with a two-month deadline to finalise the draft before returning it to parliament for the second and third readings.

Mr Parit said the process should focus on substantive discussion and compromise among members rather than political rivalry. “Whoever becomes chair is less important than achieving a draft that reflects public aspirations. Ultimately, people will decide through a referendum,” he said, adding that the committee must ensure the final version aligns with the public’s expectations and can pass both parliament and a national vote.

Veteran election commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn cautioned opposition parties against overconfidence in securing the PP’s draft as the main version, warning that the bill could still fail at the third reading if it lacks sufficient Senate support. Under Section 256 of the 2017 constitution, any amendment must secure not only a majority in the Lower House but also at least one-third of the Senate, or 66 votes.

Mr Somchai also reminded lawmakers of a previous failure when Pheu Thai’s draft was rejected in the first reading after falling short of the required Senate votes.

A man hurled a ping-pong bomb inside a shopping mall before robbing a gold shop in the Bang Phli area of Samut Prakan on Saturday afternoon, making off with gold ornaments worth about 1.3 million baht.

The dramatic robbery occurred at about 2.30pm when the lone robber created chaos inside the Lotus City Park mall to gain access to the Yaowarat Krungthep gold shop branch. He jumped over the counter and swiftly seized gold ornaments before fleeing the scene on a motorcycle.

The stolen gold ornaments totalled about 20 baht-weight (300 grammes), worth 1.3 million baht at current prices. Local gold prices have risen by about 55% since the start of 2025.

Police arrived at the scene shortly after the incident and examined surveillance footage from the mall, which captured clear images of the suspect’s face.

Investigators are now working to identify and apprehend the robber as quickly as possible.

A security video posted by Yaowarat Krungthep gold shop shows the robbery at its branch inside Lotus City Park in Bang Phli district on Saturday afternoon.

Hong Kong-based conglomerate Swire Pacific plans to open its first Upper House hotel in Bangkok, marking the brand’s debut in Thailand, alongside its first branded residence project worth 30-40 billion baht on Wireless Road.

Toby Smith, deputy chairman of Swire Hotels, a subsidiary of Swire Pacific, said the group is expanding its Upper House hotel brand globally, expanding from its presence in Hong Kong and mainland China.

“We are exploring potential sites in Bangkok, either in the central business district or along the Chao Phraya River, for our first Upper House hotel in Thailand and the brand’s inaugural property in Southeast Asia,” he said.

The group operates three Upper House hotels in Hong Kong, Chengdu and Shanghai. The latter two were recently rebranded from The Temple House and The Middle House to Upper House to create a unified global brand identity.

The group plans to open three new Upper House hotels in Shenzhen in 2027, Xi’an in 2028 and Tokyo in 2029, as well as one in Australia, which will also feature a branded residence, the second after Bangkok.

“Upper House Bangkok is expected to be completed by 2030 — the same year we plan to finish our two ultra-luxury condo projects on Wireless Road, which includes our first Upper House branded residence,” said Mr Smith.

RARE FREEHOLD

Upper House Residences Bangkok with 156 units and The Wireless Residences by Upper House with 239 units are being developed by City Dynamic Co, established in 2023 with registered capital of 1.65 billion baht.

City Dynamic is a joint venture between City Realty, the property arm of Chali Sophonpanich, holding 60%, and Swire Properties, a subsidiary of Swire Pacific, holding 40%.

Both projects are located on a 7.9-rai plot on Wireless Road opposite Lumpini Park near the Wireless-Sarasin junction, a site City Realty has owned for more than 40 years, said Casey Au, co-managing director of City Dynamic.

The branded residence will target affluent buyers seeking privacy and long-term legacy assets, while the second project will cater to younger generations looking for luxury and connectivity, he said.

“We expect strong demand from Thai buyers, accounting for around 60%, as both developments are freehold projects on Wireless Road, where most existing supply is leasehold,” Mr Au said.

The remaining 40% targets foreign buyers, particularly from Hong Kong, where interest in Thai properties has been strong, along with the Chinese market, home to a growing number of wealthy individuals, he said.

“We also plan to introduce our residential projects to Upper House members, which number around 400 and are all by invitation only,” said Mr Smith. “Most members are from Hong Kong and China, with 6-7 from Thailand.”

The largest units, comprising penthouses on the top floors, range from 700-800 square metres, offering 360-degree views and duplex layouts. While prices have yet to be finalised, he said luxury leasehold properties around Lumpini Park are priced from 400,000 to 500,000 baht per sq m, with freehold units expected to be at least 30% higher. Sales are scheduled for mid-2026 once the show units are completed.

In high school, Artyasit Srisuwan saw his friends bring erotic books to class. Teachers confiscated the material and scolded them, but Artyasit did not take the genre seriously until over a decade ago when he got to know Luang Vilaspariwat, known as Kru Liam, a pioneer of erotic literature in the early 20th century, and wanted to write a thesis about it. Due to the lack of primary sources, his adviser convinced him to change the topic.

But it was already engraved in his mind. In 2013, Artyasit proposed it again for his master’s degree and his adviser gave him the green light.

“That was the beginning of an exciting journey. Historical studies require primary sources. It is a huge challenge. I had to search for old pornographic books. It was believed that libraries don’t keep them. Five years later, I discovered that they are hidden,” he said.

Artyasit, an expert in modern Thai literature, shared his research in a seminar, titled “Siamese Pornography: Breaking The Taboo Of Sex In Thai Society, 1910s-1960s”, at Pridi Banomyong International College, Thammasat University, on Oct 10. He is a historian, columnist and winner of Fan Pan Tae, a televised competition for the most diehard fan of a certain subject, on the topic of Thailand’s SEA Write books.

Artyasit initially contacted Suchart Sawadsri, but the veteran editor did not know much about the topic. One day, a newspaper reported that Thongchai Likhitpornsawan discovered Kru Liam’s erotic novel Klom Khan. He contacted the old book collector and had the opportunity to see it for the first time. A personal connection led him to interview a number of experts in the book industry, however, they requested anonymity due to the topic.

“I know that pornographic books are private and treasured possession. It can be uncomfortable for owners [to share],” he said.

Artyasit started to buy erotica himself. He found it at a second-hand bookstore in Yaowarat’s Tamarind Alley. However, they were hidden and expensive. A single palm-sized book cost around 800-1,200 baht. Due to a limited budget, he could buy only a small number. In 2015, he received a grant from the Thailand Research Fund which allowed him to buy more for his research.

Artyasit disagrees with most scholars who contend that Phra Tamrap Yoni, literally translated as vagina manual, was the first erotica in Siam. In his view, Kru Liam, a teacher who received a royal scholarship for further study in England in the 1890s, penned four novels — Klom Khan, Phananchom, Phromajari and Daruni Prawat — that constitute the first pornography in Siam.

At 14, Artyasit got to read Kru Liam’s earliest work Khwam Mai Phayabat (No Vendetta), the first known novel by a Siamese author. It is a parody of Khwam Phayabat, a translation of Marie Corelli’s Vendetta by Mae Wan, a pseudonym of Phraya Surinracha. Since then, it opened the door to more of Kru Liam’s works.

Klom Khan is the tale of an innocent woman in Victorian England who has an extramarital affair and seeks an abortion from a fake doctor. However, he makes an appointment with her in the barn, duping her into believing that sexual intercourse is the procedure. On the third night, the woman falls from a broken bed and loses her baby, but she thanks the doctor because she believes he helped her.

“Unlike many scholars, I think Kru Liam did not translate but wrote Klom Khan,” he said.

According to his research, Kru Liam thought Khwam Mai Phayabat was a commercial failure because local characters and settings did not appeal to readers. In his second novel Nang Neramit (The Divine Nymphs), he recounts an adventurous, suspenseful tale in Egypt, in the style of H. Rider Haggard’s King Solomon’s Mines and She. The use of exotic scenes paved the way for other racy novels, including Klom Khan.

Artyasit said Klom Khan inspired the production of erotica in the 1920s. At the time, sex was not a taboo subject until the government sought control of obscenity. During World War II, shortage of paper and an economic downturn forced publishers to adapt. Erotica was printed on mulberry paper and circulated underground, which gave rise to Wannakam Pim Deed, or type-written literature. After World War II, it was replaced with Wannakam Choh Chae, or erotic literature that makes readers get wet.

“It is known as Nangsue Pok Khao, literally translated as the white-covered book. It contained racy words and explicit material, for example Sao Hong Kong Jai Ded, with reference to politicians,” he said.

Artyasit explained that erotica surprisingly provided a platform for post-war lower-class women, especially those migrating to the city, to express their voice. For example, masters often complained that water was not running in their houses because too many people were flocking to the city, while servants talked back and asked if they are better at sex than ladies. Women slept with masters in exchange for better living conditions.

A new genre also emerged in the mid-century. Arthit Jiamrattanyoo, a history lecturer at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Arts, conducted research on life and society magazines. They covered society at large, high society and social gatherings, featuring photos of women in casual attire, evening dresses, swimsuits or in the nude. Most images, however, came from porn magazines and did not relate to the stories. Household names included Chat Thai Athit, Puangpayom and Thai Pim Piset.

These magazines presented various types of writing. Interviews allowed women to express their views and impart or challenge values. Society columns followed development, enabling readers and writers to expand their reference group and create parasocial interaction with women. Above all, behind-society literature was an exposé of corrupt practice, including underage sex, debauchery and seduction, of which socialite women were victims and perpetrators.

“It might be seen as an adaptation of erotic literature. Going overground, writers toned down raunchiness but could present more engaging ideas,” said Artyasit.

Still, it is difficult to ascertain the identity of erotic writers. Rumpa, a pseudonym in Nangsue Pok Khao, is a case in point. Although it was revealed that Rumpa was female, readers remained doubtful about the author’s identity.

Some writers were male, but adopted female voice in the belief that they would sell more copies, for example, Mae Wan. Some famous authors also wrote erotica under pseudonyms to make more money.

Earlier in October, Somtow Sucharitkul informed this reviewer that he was about to conduct Gustav Mahler’s Titan with the Siam Sinfonietta.

“Mahler won’t be too pleased at you calling it that,” I told him. The Thai National Artist and the region’s most prominent Mahler conductor replied: “Oh, I am not doing Mahler’s First Symphony, which is often erroneously known by the nickname Titan. I’m actually going to perform Mahler’s real Titan.”

The “real Titan” was a major composition, a tone poem in five movements whose title was inspired by a very influential novel by Jean Paul — in his time a more well-known artist even than his contemporary Goethe.

Jean Paul was a pseudonym for Johannes Richter and Mahler, at the time, was having a passionate love for a woman, ironically, named Johanna Richter. The work was first performed in Hungary.

The movements had colourful titles and invoked a complex narrative, with elements of childhood, ironic references to Jewish culture and nursery rhymes and a trumpet solo lifted straight out of Mahler’s now lost music for a stage play, The Trumpeter Of Sackingen.

The music of Titan was greatly influenced by and used many themes directly quoted from Songs Of A Wanderer, a song cycle Mahler had written himself that was in turn inspired by a collection of folk poetry The Youth’s Magic Horn.

Mahler’s First Symphony is one of the most influential first symphonies by any composer. It challenges the boundaries of structure, propriety and social convention, and it tears down the idea that symphonies must be “pure music” and on a higher philosophical level than “telling stories”. But before it became that highly influential, it was Titan — a longer and arguably less disciplined work.

Somtow’s idea was to show everything that led up to that first symphony, but not to play the First Symphony in its final form.

The concert began with Songs Of A Wayfarer, dramatically interpreted by rising young mezzo Kridhima Siriwattanakamol. Many performances of this piece are “old artist’s” interpretations, viewing the lyrics about love, longing and bereavement through a nostalgic lens. Kridhima’s was a more immediate reading, full of intense feeling and drama, as youthful in tone as the work itself. It was operatic in tone.

This reviewer has, admittedly a problem with the extra movement, Blumine, which seems like an odd interpolation into the much more well-known first symphony. It is difficult to make it match up with the version one is used to. But there is a case for including it which Somtow makes, citing the fact that it is quoted in the last movement and that there’s no true slow movement in the symphony otherwise. The case is almost persuasive, though I think the first symphony is a lot more perfect as it stands today.

I listened to the 2012 recording by this conductor and this orchestra, made during its tour of Berlin, Dresden and Munich. The recording can be found on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube. The Siam Sinfonietta is a youth orchestra, but the 2012 performance is so polished that it’s a very high bar to beat. As a youth orchestra, there’s a complete turnover every seven years, so the performance at the state-of-the-art Great Hall at King’s College International School in Bangkok had no players in common with the 2012 recording.

In many ways it sounded very different. Today’s Sinfonietta was perhaps not quite as technically precise, but it compensated with an abundance of passion and a truly deep understanding of the Mahlerian sensibility. The string section was powerful and committed and the “big sound” needed for late romantic music pours effortlessly from them.

The opening moments, arising out of the sounds of nature, had to battle a little with a loud air conditioning system, but this disjunction was soon forgotten. The off-stage trumpets, playing from an inner room, were suitably eerie.

The opening theme, led by the cellos, showcased deeply musical Pimchanok Ketmee as a section leader mature beyond her years. It was exciting and magical. The rare second movement featured the rich and sensitive trumpet solo from Surachai Audomrak, perhaps the most outstanding trumpet player in his generation. A vigorous rendition of the Ländler movement rounded off part one of Titan — the division into two parts does not occur in the symphonic version.

The next movement was notorious in its time. Starting with Frere Jacques in a minor key, skilfully played by Phumraphi Wong-Anusorn, interrupted by an outburst of beer hall music, the movement is savagely ironic. The plangent oboe of Nattapol Thongra-ar shone in this movement.

Finally, the 20-minute finale was thrilling, from its dark moments to the exaltation of its ending when the seven horns, a trumpet and a trombone are instructed by the composer to stand, lending an extra oomph to the overwhelming last moments.

Somtow’s interpretation of this symphony is noticeably darker and more ironic than that of ten years ago, and the humour of the klezmer music more bitter.

Doing this symphony in this way and pairing it with its source material in Songs Of A Wayfarer was a historic first for Southeast Asia and the audience response was thrilling.

The new “Great Hall” at King’s is perfect for concerts of this scale and Opera Siam has announced a whole season of upcoming events in co-operation with the school, including Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony in November, two performances of Somtow’s opera The Silent Prince in December, and much more next year.

The Siam Sinfonietta also plans to do Mahler’s monumental Symphony No.6 In A Minor in 2026.

The Bhumjaithai Party, under the leadership of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, appears determined to spend its four months in power pursuing aggressive populist measures.

The underlying calculation is simple: the party cannot afford political missteps in the run-up to the next election. Instead, it must leave a strong impression with policies that appeal directly to the electorate, cementing a reputation as the ‘people’s party’ and building a foundation for its return to government.

This strategy is neither new nor surprising, said a political observer. Thai politics has long revolved around populism, with different administrations competing to deliver direct benefits to ordinary citizens in the form of subsidies, welfare and development schemes.

But for Bhumjaithai, the stakes are uniquely high. Having entered government in an unstable and fragmented political environment, the party is acutely aware that its survival beyond this brief stint depends on how effectively it can brand itself as indispensable to voters, said the observer.

The BJT’s embrace of populism serves not only as a way to win hearts but also as a political shield. The party has faced accusations of having engaged in dealmaking, opportunism in shifting alliances, and being a pragmatic but not particularly principled political actor.

Delivering tangible benefits to people allows the party to deflect those charges. If it can demonstrate that, despite the chaos of politics, it produces outcomes that improve daily lives, accusations of inconsistency may matter less at the ballot box.

In recent weeks, Bhumjaithai has doubled down on policies that resonate with lower- and middle-income voters. The much-touted Khon La Khrueng co-payment subsidy scheme has been highlighted as a signature move. The tone is clear: this is not about long-term reform or institutional restructuring, but immediate relief offered in the form of a spending stimulus. For a party seeking to maximise short-term political capital, such a choice is logical as well as mandatory, the observer said.

The challenge lies in the brevity of its current governing term, resulting from the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) struck with the main opposition People’s Party in return for the latter’s vote in parliament that handed Mr Anutin the premiership.

With less than four months before calling the next general, there is limited room for the government to implement and demonstrate the impact of policies. This is why Bhumjaithai is opting for highly visible measures that can generate a ‘quick win’. The optics matter as much as the actual economic advantages, the observer said.

However, structural reforms – such as overhauling land laws, revamping the bureaucracy, or tackling systemic corruption – require time and often face entrenched resistance. They offer little immediate political payoff. For a party with not much time, they are an unaffordable luxury. Populism, in such a context, becomes not just a preference but a necessity.

There is a clear historical logic behind this strategy. Thaksin Shinawatra’s governments in the early 2000s, and later the Pheu Thai Party, successfully leveraged populist policies – universal healthcare, village funds, rice pledging schemes – to establish loyalty among large segments of the population.

While Bhumjaithai cannot replicate these policies wholesale, it can borrow from the playbook. By tying its name to policies with immediate impact, it hopes to create a reservoir of goodwill that lasts beyond this brief tenure.

What makes Bhumjaithai’s case different is that it does not command the same entrenched political machine as Pheu Thai, nor does it have as strong a base in the North or Northeast. Instead, its influence lies in the lower Northeast and some parts of the South, where populist measures could shift loyalties in its favour. Expanding such bases requires bold and highly publicised interventions that can sway undecided voters, the observer said.

Populism, however, carries risks. Critics argue that cash handouts and short-term subsidies may win votes but exacerbate fiscal burdens without addressing structural problems. Thailand’s economy remains sluggish, debt levels are rising, and inequality persists. Populism in the absence of reform can be likened to applying a plaster to a deep wound.

Moreover, BJT’s rivals are not standing still. Pheu Thai and the People’s Party are also competing on populist terrain, offering their own versions of debt relief, income support, and welfare expansion. The political arena could boil down to a contest of who can promise more, faster. In that context, Bhumjaithai may struggle to distinguish itself unless it delivers policies that are both unique and credible.

Another limitation is trust, according to a political source. Populist promises must be backed by effective execution. If voters perceive that Bhumjaithai’s policies are poorly implemented or lack follow-through, the strategy could backfire, reinforcing accusations that the party is opportunistic rather than reliable. Execution in just four months, under the glare of political opponents and the media, is a daunting challenge.

Despite these risks, the source said Bhumjaithai’s gamble is rational. The party cannot rely solely on elite dealmaking or coalition bargaining to secure its future; voter legitimacy is essential.

Populism provides a pathway to that legitimacy. By ensuring that people feel immediate benefits under its watch, the party hopes to embed itself in the electorate’s memory as a government that delivered when it had the chance.

Whether this strategy succeeds depends on two factors: the party’s ability to outcompete rivals in promising and delivering populist measures, and its capacity to withstand the fiscal and political scrutiny that will inevitably follow. In a crowded field of populist contenders, standing out is no easy task.

In the end, Bhumjaithai’s short-term populist push reflects both the opportunities and constraints of Thai politics today. The party knows that four months is too short to transform institutions but long enough to shape perceptions. It is betting that highly visible populist policies will overshadow criticism of opportunism and position it as a credible player at the next election.

If the strategy works, Bhumjaithai could emerge stronger, having turned a brief tenure into a springboard for long-term relevance. If it fails, the party risks being remembered not for delivering benefits but for overpromising and underdelivering in a fleeting moment of power.

Returning to the party fold

The Democrats gathered on Saturday to elect a new leader and executive board, in a vote that has stirred excitement among long-time supporters, many of whom have expressed strong support for the return of former party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva.

The meeting follows the resignation of Chalermchai Sri-on as party leader on Sept 12. Mr Chalermchai stepped down after four Democrat MPs defied a party resolution to abstain from the prime ministerial vote.

Mr Abhisit himself resigned as the Democrat leader in 2019 to take responsibility for the party’s poor performance in that year’s general election. The party won 52 seats in both the constituency and party-list systems.

Shortly after, he stepped down as an MP to avoid voting for former prime minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, but remained a party member.

After keeping a low profile, Mr Abhisit vied for the party leadership in December 2023, but he withdrew from the race at the last minute and announced his resignation from the party. His departure was followed by that of long-serving members, including Sathit Pitutecha, Sathit Wongnongtoey and Orn-anong Kanchanachusak.

Mr Abhisit’s return has re-energised many veteran Democrats, such as Korbsak Sabhavasu and Khunying Supatra Masdit, who have already announced their return to the party.

Khunying Supatra wrote on her Facebook that her decision was motivated by the belief that it was time to help bring the Democrat Party ‘back to the hearts of the people who once supported it’ and ‘return the party to its true owners – Thais who have long shared its ideals’.

Chaichana Dechdecho, acting deputy party leader, also recently took a group of 20 provincial administrative organisation (PAO) members to apply for Democrat Party membership at a local meeting in Nakhon Si Thammarat’s Ron Phibun district.

Mr Chaichana confirmed that he and the group supported Mr Abhisit’s return to the party leadership, calling him ‘the right person’ to guide the party through renewal and help it regain public confidence.

Former deputy party leader Korn Chatikavanij also posted a picture with prominent figures, including economist Santitarn Sathirathai, business guru Karndee Leopairote, and former higher education, science and innovations minister Suvit Maesincee.

The social media post sparked talk that these individuals might support Mr Abhisit, either as outsiders or as potential party members. The former prime minister also emerged as the favourite to lead the Democrat Party into the next election, according to a National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) poll.

About 32.9% of respondents favoured Mr Abhisit’s return, highlighting his enduring recognition among voters, while Suvicha Pouaree, director of the Nida Poll centre, expressed belief that the Democrats could secure as much as 10% of the vote under Mr Abhisit’s leadership.

However, political observers question whether Mr Abhisit’s comeback can truly restore the party to its former glory, as Mr Abhisit’s qualifications alone may not help attract votes, especially among young voters.

Olarn Thinbangtieo, a political scientist at Burapha University, said he does not expect Mr Abhisit to cause a dramatic turnaround, and the best hope for the former Democrat leader is to revive the party’s support among middle-class voters in Bangkok who believe in the Democrats’ values.

‘Winning a significant number of seats now depends on constituency networks – the baan yai [political families](#) in the provinces,’ he said.

According to Mr Olarn, the party’s baan yai, such as the Pitutecha family in Rayong, the Wongnongtoey family in Trang, and the Issarasenarak family in Nakhon Nayok, were admired for their integrity and close ties with local communities.

These political families do not project the image of wayward political godfathers or business tycoons, which stands in stark contrast to the party’s current image, said the academic.

Mr Abhisit will have to manage the baan yai carefully so that they do not dominate the party and do not feel alienated or sidelined, he said.

‘Some of them won’t leave the party but will try to use Mr Abhisit’s reputation to benefit themselves. He has an image of honesty and credibility that remains widely respected,’ said Mr Olarn.

Given its long history as the country’s oldest political party, the analyst described the Democrats as ‘a party that never dies but never grows’, adding that this is the key challenge Mr Abhisit must confront.

‘It is his burden to persuade veteran members to return while guiding the younger MPs from political families to follow in the footsteps of their predecessors,’ he said.

‘At the same time, he must nurture a new generation of candidates for both constituency and party-list systems to lay a firm and steady foundation for long-term growth.

Trade on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) was volatile this week, in line with global bourses, on renewed trade war worries.

After China announced tighter curbs on rare earth exports, President Donald Trump threatened to slap an additional 100% US tariff on Chinese goods. There was speculation Trump might decline to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping when the two attend the Apec summit in South Korea on Oct 31 and Nov 1.

In our view, both countries are engaging in limited tactical escalation rather than aiming for a full-out conflict. We expect them to enter a “narrow deal” phase or reach a temporary agreement ahead of the Apec talks, with no major structural shift in the trade relationship over the long run.

We still anticipate a meeting between the two leaders, but any rebound in sentiment will depend on their stances and the level of agreement achieved.

Markets did hear some encouraging words from Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell, who said the US economy was healthy overall and left the door open to more interest rate cuts to help stimulate activity. He said the Fed might soon start winding down its effort to shrink its balance sheet.

Over the past week, we recommended investors take a more cautious approach by reducing their stock position and increasing cash holdings to at least 30% of their portfolios. We also suggested trimming holdings of stocks linked to the global economy in sectors such as energy, refining and petrochemicals, electronics and shipping.

However, some domestic plays, particularly tourism stocks, also fell substantially with the end of Golden Week and a rapid slowdown in the momentum of Chinese tourist arrivals.

Shares of Thai Airways were pressured by concerns over new board appointments, which dragged its stock price below a key support level. The board’s chairman assured the market the political interference that once plagued the carrier would not resurface.

Elsewhere, tech stocks in China and Hong Kong were pressured by concerns over potential imposition of non-tariff barriers against tech products. Meanwhile, a recent rebound was partly responsible for selling pressure in tech plays as investors sought to lock in profits.

Gold kept hitting new highs on consistent buying by central banks and safe-haven demand spurred by renewed trade war worries, even as concerns about actual wars eased slightly with the Gaza ceasefire.

We expect the SET index to remain rangebound between 1,250 and 1,300 points next week. Market participants will likely shift their focus towards particular industries or individual stocks as banks are about to release third-quarter earnings.

Bank stocks have largely declined in anticipation of weak results (except for KTB, which will likely post solid gains from investment in THAI). We believe banks have already priced in negative factors and see potential to buy on dips.

As well, any shift in fund flows into Thailand, after a recent steep fall, could be directed into banks if earnings worries dissipate, while non-banks could be affected by escalating trade tension.

Power industry plays are also interesting as government measures, expected within a month, tend to be positive for power producers. These include speeding up foreign direct investment by streamlining procedures; progress on direct power purchase agreements and a new Power Development Plan, which should help the Board of Investment meet its goal of attracting up to 500 billion baht worth of data centre projects.

Meanwhile, worries over a power tariff cut will probably not add more pressure than they already have, given the recent stock price setbacks in the sector. We prefer laggards such as GULF, BGRIM and GPSC over EGCO, BPP and BCPG, which have rather tight technical indicators.

Among the positive factors that could support investor sentiment this week:

The government’s Half-Half Plus co-payment consumption stimulus is due to start on Oct 29 and continue for the rest of the year;

Chinese GDP data due on Monday is not expected to be any weaker than already anticipated, implying the impact from US tariffs has been contained so far;

US economic indicators, as slowing price pressure and softer employment data could support another Fed rate cut;

Thai bank earnings are expected to be in line with modest expectations, barring any negative surprises.

Among the negative factors that investors should keep in mind:

Pressure on the local market from the large-cap DELTA, which could be weighed down by high valuations and sell-ahead-of-facts behaviour prior to its third quarter earnings release on Oct 24;

US-China trade friction;

Volatile commodities and foreign exchange may cause certain groups of investors to remain in wait-and-see mode.

The Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry is committed to driving Thailand’s gaming industry onto the global stage and establishing the country as a gaming hub in Southeast Asia.

The ministry is pursuing the passage of the Gaming Industry Promotion Act, which would be the first law of its kind in Southeast Asia. The bill already passed a public hearing.

DES Minister Chaichanok Chidchob said the local gaming industry is valued at more than 35 billion baht and continues to grow.

He said this proves games are no longer just about the act of playing — they are ready to transcend mere entertainment and transform into learning opportunities, fostering creativity and providing future careers.

Thailand has one of the largest populations of gamers in Southeast Asia, along with the Philippines and Indonesia, and ranks third globally in terms of the number of gamers, said Mr Chaichanok.

He said the government must accelerate development of the gaming industry for stable and sustainable growth.

Mr Chaichanok spoke at Gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show 2025, which opened yesterday at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center and ends tomorrow. The event combines Gamescom Asia with Thailand Game Show.

“We believe in Thailand’s potential, in the country’s gaming industry, and in the power of public-private partnerships,” he said.

Mr Chaichanok said the Gaming Industry Promotion Act not only provides a regulatory framework, but is also a tool to create opportunities and enhance the potential of the country’s gaming industry, fostering sustainable growth and global competitiveness.

“What you love today can truly become a stable career tomorrow,” he said.

“In addition to providing entertainment, games can create future careers, helping everyone to grow together.”

Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said during the event’s opening Thailand is a key player in the region’s gaming industry.

The local gaming market has expanded rapidly at a rate of 10% a year, said Mr Ekniti.

Thailand has more than 32 million gamers, indicating it has a large and highly resilient consumer base, he said.

This large consumer market means the potential for Thai intellectual property revenue generation is enormous, said Mr Ekniti.

“Enhancing our gaming industry will enable us to compete and tap into the global gaming market, which was estimated to be worth US$300 billion last year, reaching more than $600 billion by 2030,” he said.

Mr Ekniti said the government’s “Quick Big Win” policy wants to turn industry challenges into opportunities.

The gaming and digital content industries could become pillars of investment in the future, or new S-curve areas for the country, he said.

The government is investing in people and technology, training Thai workers in digital skills such as game creation and artificial intelligence.

Mr Ekniti said he plans to urge the prime minister to push the development of stakeholders in the gaming sector through government policies that enhance their capabilities.

A 79-year-old woman has died of serious injuries caused by a roadside bomb that exploded in Yi-Ngo district in the southern province of Narathiwat on Thursday.

Her death prompted some local residents to rally on Saturday to protest against the sectarian violence that has plagued the Muslim-majority southernmost provinces for more than 20 years.

The explosion occurred at about 9am on Thursday in front of a tea shop on Ram Komut Road. Investigators said the improvised device was contained in a 10kg cooking gas tank placed in a bin. The device was detonated remotely when police from the Yi-Ngo station on a routine patrol stopped at the location.

The blast injured a total of 14 people, including police officers and civilians.

One of the victims was a 79-year-old, identified as Grandma Ror Meo, who had been receiving treatment at Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra Hospital, where she was pronounced dead early Saturday.

‘Grandma saved money her whole life from selling seaweed to go on Hajj this year, with the deposit already paid of over 100,000 baht,’ said Mrs Surarak, a relative of the deceased. ‘She was so happy.’

Despite doctors’ efforts to save the woman, her survival was impossible due to the severity of her injuries and her advanced age.

Her passing sparked a response from local residents. They united in a public rally on Saturday to reject all forms of violence and demand condemnation of the brutality that has been part of daily life for too long.

Since the insurgency re-emerged in 2024, a total of 7,764 people – about 65% of them civilians – have been killed in violent incidents in Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala, according to Deep South Watch.