Category: The Bangkok Post

The Embassy of Sweden in Bangkok has shared photos on July 20 of first secretary Emanuel Lundin sampling Thai coconut ice cream from the Phai Thong brand, saying ‘Thai ice cream is the best’.

In a Facebook post, the embassy said Mr Lundin tried the classic dessert, describing it as “smooth, creamy and fragrant with a distinctly Thai flavour, ideal for the hot weather”. Toppings of peanuts, palm seeds and sweetcorn rounded out the experience, the post said, adding that the treat was excellent value at “just two 20-baht notes”.

The embassy said it was pleased to see the diplomat enjoying an authentic slice of Thai life, just like a local.

The ice cream stall is in front of Two Pacific Place building, next to BTS Nana.

Phai Thong is known for its local Thai ice cream-style, usually sold via an ice cream vending sidecar or a moving stall on the streets.

Six Vietnamese nationals were arrested at a Bangkok house as metropolitan police expanded investigations into Tokyo-bound crystal methamphetamine concealed in tamarind paste.

The arrests were made on Tuesday when police raided a residence in the Khlong Chan area in Bang Kapi district, according to Pol Maj Gen Theeradej Thammasuthee, the deputy Bangkok police chief responsible for drug suppression.

The operation followed the discovery of 2 kilogrammes of crystal meth, commonly known as “ice”, after a woman working as a courier to Japan alerted police to a package she said was unusually heavy delivered to her condominium in Bangkok Noi district on July 13.

The parcel contained six jars of tamarind paste each concealing “ice” wrapped in foil. Investigators later traced the drugs to a Vietnamese trafficking network.

On July 16, a Thai man, identified as Somphong Kaewphadee, was apprehended in Pathum Thani after police found the bank account used to pay for couriers and related expenses belonged to him. He was taken into custody at Taling Chan Criminal Court.

The Bangkok residence officers raided on Tuesday was one of the locations deliverymen had picked up packages, Pol Maj Gen Theeradej said.

The suspects arrested there were five women – Ha Thi, 28, Tran Thi, 18, Le Nguyen, 18, Lo Thi, 19 and Luong Le, 18, and a man, Do Nhu, 28.

Officers also found a copy of a passport belonging to another Vietnamese woman, who was reportedly the girlfriend of Mr Somphong. She was identified only as “Mali”.

The woman suspects tested positive for drugs, police said, while the man was charged for having drugs in possession.

However, they denied involvement in the trafficking network. The women said they came to Thailand for “entertainment jobs”, with Mr Do serving as their “modelling agent”. Each got paid about 700 baht per a job.

Police took hold of their electronic devices for further investigation.

The methods found in this case were noted as resembling those used by the gang behind a shipment of heroin found in the possession of a Thai flight attendant in Australia last month.

The seizures have led Thai authorities to reiterate warnings to the public not to accept requests to carry luggage or parcels overseas on behalf of others.

Thai customs officials have seized 1.6 tonnes of dried cannabis buds concealed among blankets and duvet covers in two export containers destined for the Netherlands at Laem Chabang Port in Chon Buri province.

The seizure took place on Monday during an operation involving customs officials, with representatives from the shipping line and the port authority also present.

The exporter had declared the cargo as 626 packages of blankets and duvet covers with a combined weight of 32,390 kilogrammes, customs authorities said on Tuesday.

A thorough examination found the dried cannabis buds, estimated to be worth 16 million baht, had been concealed among the declared goods.

The Customs Department said the exporter could face charges of submitting a false customs declaration under the Customs Act. The case may also involve violations of the Protection and Promotion of Thai Traditional Medicine Wisdom Act, and the 2025 Ministry of Public Health announcement designating cannabis as a controlled herb.

The dried cannabis and all related goods have been seized as evidence. Investigators are expanding the probe to identify other members of the network and pursue legal action against all parties connected to the smuggling attempt.

The Thai Restaurant Association is asking the government to connect raw material wholesalers with restaurants to lower ingredient costs, rather than providing subsidies for each dish.

Thaniwan Kulmongkol, president of the association, met with the Commerce Ministry’s Department of Internal Trade on Monday to provide feedback on the “40-baht Khao Kaeng scheme”, a programme offering a dish of rice with one choice of kab khao (side dishes).

Last week, the scheme was put on hold pending further review, following a public debate.

She said the department is revising the measures and considering expanding the scheme to cover other single-dish menus such as noodles and Hainanese chicken rice.

Mrs Thaniwan said the subsidy model may help to temporarily reduce meal prices. However, once a restaurant reaches its quota or the scheme ends, prices are likely to return to previous levels.

She suggested that restaurants could consolidate their raw material orders into bulk purchases to negotiate lower prices with wholesalers, a strategy she sees as a long-term solution for reducing raw material costs.

She also said the government should subsidise the development of a centralised platform to connect all stakeholders for these bulk orders.

According to a Facebook post by Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun, the 40-baht Khao Kaeng scheme is intended to ease the burden of rising food prices during the economic crisis.

The initiative proposes subsidising registered food vendors to enable them to offer meals at reduced prices. The exact price is still under discussion, and the 40-baht figure is cited as an example rather than a final decision.

Although the scheme is currently on hold, officials remain open to feedback from all stakeholders.

Mrs Thaniwan added that the current “Thai Chuay Thai Plus” co-payment scheme has increased sales for small vendors by around 20%. However, sales are expected to drop once the scheme ends in September.

She noted that medium-sized restaurants ineligible to participate in the co-payment scheme have been impacted. She urged the government to provide low-interest loans to help these businesses maintain cash flow until the industry’s high season at year-end.

She added that if restaurants participate in the government’s upcoming initiative to lower food prices, they should receive incentives in return. For example, they should have easier access to government loans in the future.

It is time for universal design (UD) to move beyond merely meeting legal requirements and to become part of everyday life, say organisers of the upcoming UD Expo in Bangkok.

Thailand’s ageing society and growing diversity highlight the need for equal access to infrastructure and services, said Pinya Jamroonsart, deputy director-general of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.

The department, under the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, is staging the expo in partnership with the Thais with Disabilities Foundation (TDF) and Thammasat University.

Thailand has about 14.16 million people aged 60 and over and 2.25 million registered persons with disabilities. According to the World Health Organization, around 1.3 billion people, or 16% of the global population, live with some form of disability.

‘These figures reflect the fact that equal access to infrastructure is not an issue for one particular group, but a fundamental challenge for national development,’ Ms Pinya said on Tuesday.

She said universal design should be treated as a core principle in the design of homes, transport systems, roads, pavements, buildings, products and services, rather than simply a compliance requirement.

Supachip Dithet, chairman of the TDF, said sustainable universal design must begin by listening to users and viewing accessibility as an interconnected system.

‘Design that provides equal access for everyone can help remove barriers to education, employment, travel and services, while creating economic opportunities and new markets for businesses,’ he said.

Assoc Prof Chumkhet Sawaengcharoen, head of the Centre for Universal Design and Environment at Thammasat University, said research must be translated into practical standards, design guidelines and policy recommendations that can be adopted by public agencies and businesses.

The UD Expo for Persons with Disabilities and Better Living for All will be held on July 24 and 25 at Halls 9-10 of Impact Exhibition and Convention Centre in Muang Thong Thani.

The event will feature more than 50 booths representing 80 organisations, along with over 25 panel discussions.

For anyone who has ever watched Physical: 100 and wondered what it would be like to train alongside the athletes (who honestly don’t look human), working out with Season 2 champion Amotti feels like a far-fetched dream. Turns out, it was just something I had not done ‘yet’ – until this past weekend.

Lululemon’s TRAINING GROUND made its Thailand debut over the weekend, transforming the 14th floor of EM Tower at EMSPHERE into a high-energy fitness hub where movement, community and personal growth took centre stage.

Following the successful first edition in Singapore, the two-day event marked its first stop in Bangkok. Split into zones of training, panel discussions and a retail experience, TRAINING GROUND combined sweat sessions with opportunities to explore the latest lululemon apparel.

Through the retail area, visitors were welcome to enjoy a complimentary photo booth and personalise newly purchased products through free on-site customisation.

At the event, lululemon also launched two new collections: a ‘Wunder Train’ line for women and ‘License to Train’ for men.

More than a fitness event, TRAINING GROUND was built around the campaign theme “Yet”, encouraging participants to view human potential as limitless. Whether it is running a first race, lifting a heavier weight or simply stepping into a workout class for the first time, the message was clear: every goal is achievable – you have just ‘yet’ to accomplish it.

The event invited guests to pursue those milestones together, reinforcing Lululemon’s belief that progress is stronger when driven by community.

Headlining the programme was fitness athlete and Lululemon ambassador Amotti, winner of Netflix’s Physical: 100 Season 2, alongside lululemon ambassador Nammon Tonggamnerd, as well as trainers Aoii, Jang, Kie, Mark Cleaver and Tripob Laoudom.

For Amotti, fitness has never been solely about physical performance. Speaking during a panel discussion, he said exercise should first and foremost be enjoyable, arguing that people are more likely to stay consistent when they genuinely love the process.

He believes discipline is built not through willpower alone, but by creating an environment that makes showing up easier. One example is his regular training group, where members motivate one another to stay accountable.

Amotti’s advice for anyone looking to build a lasting fitness habit is simple: establish a routine. Going to bed, waking up and exercising at consistent times each day removes much of the mental resistance that often prevents people from getting started.

Community, he added, is what makes fitness truly powerful. Regardless of nationality or background, people become united through shared effort. During a workout, differences fade as everyone experiences the same challenge, the same sweat and the same determination.

Beyond the workouts, proceeds from ticket sales were donated to the SATI Foundation, supporting programmes that improve the mental health, education and well-being of underserved children and young people across Thailand.

Opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut has signalled that the opposition is preparing to launch a no-confidence debate against the government when parliament reconvenes, warning that a string of corruption scandals could have serious political consequences.

Speaking at a forum on Monday, the People’s Party leader said Thailand still had a chance to tackle entrenched corruption but stressed that the government’s commitment would be judged by concrete action rather than just rhetoric.

He said the administration had pledged before Parliament to address structural corruption, and the public was now waiting to see whether that promise would be fulfilled.

“The way to prove the government is serious is through results,” Mr Natthaphong said.

He said many recent corruption allegations involved the Interior Ministry or figures linked to the government, adding that the public was watching whether investigations would reach those in positions of power or merely punish lower-ranking officials.

He also cited the alleged Senate election collusion case as another test of the government’s commitment to tackling corruption.

The Election Commission (EC) is expected to issue a ruling on the case in early September.

However, Mr Natthaphong questioned the independence of the process, noting that some election commissioners were selected by senators who themselves face allegations in the case.

If the EC dismisses the allegations, he said, it would represent a major setback in efforts to combat corruption.

While the government insists it has no influence over independent agencies, he argued that many senators involved in the case have links to figures in the ruling coalition.

Asked whether the opposition would launch a no-confidence debate when Parliament resumes, Mr Natthaphong said preparations were already under way, though the timing would depend on the wider political situation.

He said the debate would have significant political implications, citing controversies including alleged preferential treatment of the so-called “blue faction”, irregularities in local civil service recruitment examinations, attempts to insert unrelated provisions into the 400-billion-baht emergency loan decree, and alleged corruption in the civil registration system.

He claimed many of the cases involved individuals linked to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

Asked whether the government faced a genuine risk of collapse, Mr Natthaphong said it would depend on whether investigations identified those behind the alleged misconduct and whether meaningful action was taken.

Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said bilateral talks with Cambodia on land-border issues had stalled after Phnom Penh initiated compulsory conciliation under an international treaty over a maritime boundary dispute.

Speaking in Beijing on Monday, Mr Sihasak said bilateral negotiations were no longer possible under current circumstances, although Thailand believes direct dialogue is the most appropriate approach for resolving disputes.

“At this point, the door is closed. There is no opportunity to talk about land boundaries. It will be difficult,” Mr Sihasak said.

He said the Chinese government had expressed its readiness to help facilitate the restoration of relations between Thailand and Cambodia during Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s official visit to China.

Mr Sihasak said Thailand appreciated Beijing’s offer and maintained that any resolution should begin with bilateral negotiations.

However, he said such talks could not proceed after Cambodia chose to enter the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) process.

Last month, Thailand’s cabinet approved the appointment of two former presidents of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), from South Africa and Germany, to serve on Thailand’s conciliation panel under UNCLOS.

Mr Sihasak was appointed as head of the negotiating team, with Songchai Chaipatiyut, Thailand’s ambassador to Kuwait, serving as deputy head of the delegation.

Mr Sihasak’s remarks came after Chinese President Xi Jinping urged Thailand and Cambodia to resolve their border dispute through dialogue,

According to China’s Xinhua News Agency, Mr Xi said Beijing was prepared to play a “constructive role” in promoting a peaceful settlement.

The baht is expected to continue weakening against the US dollar this week after falling to a nearly 15-month low, driven by renewed tensions in the Middle East.

According to Krungthai Global Markets, the baht is likely to remain under depreciation pressure in the near term as geopolitical risks intensify.

The Thai currency could weaken to between 34.00 and 34.40 baht per US dollar this week, the research house said.

Last week, the baht fell to a 14.5-month low of 33.64 per dollar, in line with a sharp decline in global gold prices to below US$4,000 per ounce. Meanwhile, the US dollar regained strength as global oil prices surged on concerns that the conflict in the Middle East could become more prolonged following reports of continued clashes between the US and Iran since July 11.

Poon Panitchpibun, a money market strategist at Krungthai Global Markets, said the baht is expected to test the key resistance range of 33.75-33.80 per dollar, with the next resistance level seen at 34.00 in the near term.

Against a backdrop of heightened uncertainty, the baht is projected to remain volatile due to geopolitical tensions and a stronger US dollar, supported by expectations surrounding the US Federal Reserve’s monetary policy.

The baht could rebound if geopolitical tensions ease or investors scale back expectations of further interest rate hikes by the Fed. However, any appreciation is likely to be limited to around 33.40-33.50 per dollar, with stronger support at 33.00.

“A significant shift in market expectations for US interest rates could move the baht by at least 25 satang,” Poon said, adding that businesses and investors should adopt a range of hedging strategies, including the use of options, to better manage foreign exchange risk.

Meanwhile, Krungsri Global Markets expects the baht to trade between 33.30 and 34.00 per dollar this week. The depreciation is expected to be driven mainly by the fresh rally in global oil prices amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

The US dollar weakened against most major currencies last week, with the exception of the Japanese yen, after softer-than-expected US inflation data for June. Headline and core inflation eased to 3.5% and 2.6%, respectively, according to Krungsri.

Bank of Thailand Governor Vitai Ratanakorn said last week that the central bank has been closely monitoring developments related to the renewed escalation of tensions in the Middle East. The central bank stands ready to manage baht movements in line with Thailand’s economic fundamentals.

Mr Vitai said the baht’s movements remain broadly in line with those of other regional currencies, adding that the weaker currency has supported Thailand’s exports and tourism sectors. However, he warned that a prolonged conflict in the Middle East could raise inflation expectations and weigh on the country’s economic growth outlook.

It is fifth time lucky for Somnuek, who finally received a state welfare card after four rejected applications.

But not everybody is as lucky as the 57-year-old and many shockingly failed to qualify for the 2026 state welfare card programme after the government of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul re-evaluated all holders of the “card for the poor” in a bid to screen out citizens who only pretended to be poor.

To date, 6 million people have been found ineligible, while 9.5 million have been accepted.

Those who failed the selection process can appeal online or in person at any of the five state banks.

Mr Somnuek, who did not disclose his last name, on Monday recalled his many fights to get onto the welfare scheme, being rejected time and again because he owns a small plot of land.

“It is only 2 ngan (200 square metres) and my ancestor handed it down to me,” he said at Krungthai Bank’s Tak Fa branch in Tak Fa district in Nakhon Sawan.

“Do I have to stay in a rat-hole to be accepted as poor?” he complained.

Mr Somnuek was eventually successful with his latest application and said the money he will receive as a holder of the card for the poor would ease some household pain by paying for utilities.

But he still questioned why one of his neighbours continues to get these benefits although that household has two 10-wheel trucks. (continues below)

Sa-ard Nakchaturas, 64, of Muang district in Nakhon Ratchasima, does not have a lorry. What she does own is an ageing motorcycle with a sidecar – and that was enough for the government to drop her from the list of the needy.

Ms Sa-ard said her motorbike was bought 20 years ago to help her husband, 73, who is a scrap buyer, and it remains an important tool as age takes its toll on their energy.

“My motocycle is very old, it is almost beyond being usable,” she said.

Ms Sa-ard must travel to the provincial land transport office to show proof of her old motorcycle’s age before she can appeal her rejection from the welfare programme, but said she does not have the money or the energy to do that.

“I could not get the card because of this motorcycle,” she said in tears while pointing to the only means of transport the couple possess.

Money from the scheme previously helped Ms Sa-ard and her husband buy rice, drinking water and other staples. They no longer have that prop.

“We’re really poor with almost nothing to eat,” she said when asked if she had a message for the authorities. “Please look at us, and take care of the grassroots people, like me.”

Supranee Daosuk, 39, of Sikhiu district, Nakhon Ratchasima, faced a different problem.

Her mother suffers from chronic illness, including cancer, and they had relied on the programme for household purchases. She was disqualified this time around, with no reason given in the message sent to her mother’s mobile phone.

“Why is it so very difficult to prove we really are poor?” she asked.