Category: The Bangkok Post

?Thailand’s ?cabinet ?on approved an increase in the excise tax ?on ?fully imported electric vehicles (EVs) to 35% from 10%, Finance ?Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said, part of a new tiered tax structure ?aimed at encouraging investment ?and local .

The tax rate is slated to rise from Jan 1, 2027, according to reports.

The government’s plan to raise excise taxes on completely built-up (CBU) EVs imported without a manufacturing base in Thailand has two main objectives. They include protecting investors who have already invested in manufacturing plants and supply chains in Thailand and encouraging automakers that still rely on imports to accelerate negotiations with the government to establish local production facilities.

Thailand is a ?major ?regional production and ?export hub for car manufacturers, such as ?BYD (Build Your Dreams) ?and Toyota Motor.

The country registered 22,587 new EVs and electric motorcycles in September 2026, up 89.7% from a year earlier, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), citing statistics from the Department of Land Transport.

Passenger EVs alone reached 19,425 units, a 98.6% year-on-year jump.

During the first nine months of this year, total EV registrations hit 191,273 units, an 83% increase over the same period in 2025, with electric passenger cars accounting for 167,789 of the total.

The FTI expects full-year 2026 registrations to reach between 200,000 and 220,000, compared with roughly 120,000 in 2025.

For charging infrastructure, Thailand had 5,021 charging locations with 15,290 connectors nationwide as of the end of September.

A new bus route has been added on the resort island to serve commuters and travellers between the airport and Rawai beach.

The electricity-powered, air-conditioned buses made their debut on Sunday, with fares starting at 40 baht and ending at 120 baht.

The 51-kilometre Route 8580 offers 16 trips from 5.45am to 8pm, at roughly one-hour intervals, with 25 stops along the way.

The new line, the fifth on the island, is operated by the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation.

The office plans to extend the route from the airport to the Tha Chatchai checkpoint on the northern tip of the island, Phuket PAO president Raywat Arreerob said on Tuesday.

Thailand’s social security system is becoming increasingly inadequate to support its rapidly ageing population, with people over 60 projected to account for a third of the population over the next 25 years, according to Kiatnakin Phatra Financial Group (KKP).

The bank’s study found that people over 60 currently account for 24% of Thailand’s total population. The country is moving towards becoming a fully aged society, while its income per capita remains relatively low.

Moreover, Thailand is ageing faster than its regional peers despite having a comparatively low income level.

Amid limitations in government welfare provisions, Thais need to pay greater attention to retirement planning. More than 54% of Thai workers remain outside the social security system, while the old-age allowance covers only around 7% of their living expenses. Meanwhile, the pension system and Social Security Fund reserves are facing mounting pressure from demographic changes.

“These factors show that relying solely on government welfare is insufficient to maintain a reasonable quality of life after retirement. Government social welfare benefits could also decline over the next 20 years as the financial burden continues to increase,” said Pipat Luengnaruemitchai, chief economist at KKP.

According to the bank’s study, as many as 86% of Thais have yet to establish a savings plan or have been unable to follow through with one. In addition, more than 80% of their savings are concentrated in bank deposits and other low-risk assets, which typically generate returns insufficient to keep pace with inflation. As a result, nearly 70% of elderly people still rely on financial support from their children or have to continue working to earn a living.

Furthermore, Thais are expected to live longer. Around 47% of people who reach the age of 60 are projected to live until at least 85. Meanwhile, Thailand’s medical cost inflation is forecast to rise to 14.8% in 2026, significantly outpacing headline inflation.

Mr Pipat said the pressure is being compounded by rising healthcare costs, as health insurance policies increasingly adopt co-payment arrangements that require policyholders to shoulder a greater share of medical expenses. Consequently, investment strategies capable of generating returns above inflation while providing sufficient cash flow to support retirement living have become increasingly essential.

As part of efforts to help cope with these challenges, KKP on Monday introduced a two-stage retirement investment strategy designed to help investors accumulate wealth before retirement and generate regular income after leaving the workforce.

According to Narit Kosalathip, KKP’s head of personal investment advisory, the first stage features four KKP Ready Retire funds targeting retirement in 2035 and 2045, including retirement mutual fund (RMF) options. The funds automatically adjust their investment risk levels as investors approach retirement before transitioning into retirement income funds.

The second stage comprises KKP Lifelong Income and KKP Advanced Income, which combine high-quality dividend-paying stocks with fixed-income assets to help investors combat inflation. An automatic redemption mechanism enables retirees to receive regular cash flows, supporting either long-term wealth preservation for inheritance purposes or planned withdrawals to finance their retirement lifestyles.

Thailand’s industrial systems and seasoned workforce are its strongest competitive advantages as companies look to diversify production across Southeast Asia.

But infrastructure bottlenecks in grid capacity, green energy and high-end technical skills need to be addressed to help drive future investment, according to Jan Metzger, global head of coverage banking at Standard Chartered.

“Converting investment commitments into bankable projects requires sound commercial fundamentals,” Mr Metzger told the Bangkok Post.

“Lenders need confidence in demand and cash flows, supported by credible customer or offtaker commitments, appropriate financing tenor, and access to critical utilities and infrastructure.”

For digital infrastructure and hyperscalers, which demand round-the-clock power together with international zero-carbon mandates, energy reliability and sourcing are key.

“For power-intensive developments, project assessment must also address electricity supply, grid capacity, renewable-power access, water management, land use and the regulatory environment,” Mr Metzger said.

“For EV [electric vehicle] manufacturing, the same discipline extends across energy use, environmental requirements, and the sustainability of the wider supply chain.”

The Thai government has pushed for new investment in future technologies, including data centre hyperscalers, cloud service providers, and EV manufacturers.

This year the Board of Investment also tailored the incentives offered to foreign investors to focus more on green standards, domestic supply-chain integration and a “fast pass” process for strategic tech projects.

Overseas interest has boomed this year, with foreign direct investment applications during the first nine months reaching 1.55 trillion baht, up 62% year-on-year. Digital investments from companies such as TikTok System and Global Switch accounted for nearly 70% of the total project filings in value terms, according to the BoI.

Mr Metzger said that across Southeast Asia, different markets offer different strengths.

“Vietnam has strong momentum in export-oriented manufacturing, Malaysia has established capabilities in semiconductors and higher-value electronics, while Indonesia combines a large domestic market with natural-resource advantages, including in the EV battery value chain,” he said.

For Thailand, decades of supporting global auto and electronics supply chains are a key differentiator.

“Thailand’s distinct proposition is the depth of its industrial systems and established operating environment,” Mr Metzger said. “Its automotive, components and electronics industries bring strong supplier networks, production expertise and an experienced manufacturing workforce.”

Yet Thailand must also evolve if it is to capture the next wave of investment.

“To maintain its competitive position, Thailand can continue to strengthen its engineering capabilities, technology adoption and workforce skills, while addressing considerations such as grid flexibility, renewable-energy integration and exposure to fuel price volatility,” Mr Metzger said.

“The opportunity is to capture higher-value activities within Asean’s increasingly interconnected supply chains.”

Amidst an uncertain geopolitical environment, chief financial officers are focusing on resiliency and risk mitigation.

“In a more fragmented and volatile world, the priority for treasurers is to protect margins and ensure the business can continue trading, investing and meeting its obligations across a range of currency, interest-rate and geopolitical scenarios,” Mr Metzger said.

“Companies are also diversifying funding across banking partners, markets, currencies and tenors, maintaining committed facilities and improving visibility and control over cash. Regional liquidity structures, trade finance and supplier-finance programmes can help reduce trapped liquidity, strengthen critical suppliers and prevent a single disruption from constraining the wider business.”

For Standard Chartered, its presence in over 50 markets across Asia, Africa and the Middle East gives the bank a unique view on the needs of companies trading across borders.

Initiatives such as the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, for instance, has placed greater compliance and cost pressures on exporters in sectors such as steel, cement and electricity.

Mr Metzger said Standard Chartered had focused heavily on providing transition finance solutions to assist clients’ moves towards decarbonisation.

“Transition finance can support credible, investable decarbonisation plans through measures such as renewable-power procurement, energy-efficiency upgrades, electrification and process improvements,” he said.

Crucially, these credit lines are governed by rigorous performance benchmarks rather than broad environmental, social and governance labels.

“Financing can be linked to time-bound targets, measurable capital expenditure and appropriate governance, helping businesses preserve international market access while reducing the carbon intensity of their operations,” said Mr Metzger.

A clause in the new amnesty law could give former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra a route to challenge convictions and seek the return of 46 billion baht in seized assets, a political scientist has warned.

Olan Thinbangtiew, deputy dean of Burapha University’s Faculty of Political Science and Law, told the Bangkok Post on Monday that Thaksin’s petition to the Peaceful Society Promotion Committee may rely on a clause revoking Council for National Security (CNS) orders.

The Assets Examination Committee (AEC), which initiated cases against Thaksin, was set up under a CNS order. Mr Olan said Thaksin’s lawyers could argue that because the Peaceful Society Promotion Act revokes CNS orders, the AEC’s actions and resulting cases should be invalidated.

He compared this with the “fruit of the poisonous tree” principle: If the process initiating a case was unlawful, its findings could be challenged.

Mr Olan said this could offer a way around Section 3, which excludes four categories from amnesty, including corruption and lese-majeste offences under Section 112 of the Criminal Code.

He said Thaksin’s cases differed from those of former premier Yingluck Shinawatra, which went to court via the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the State Audit Office.

If the petition is granted, Mr Olan said, Thaksin could have the cases cleared and seek the return of about 46 billion baht, potentially with interest. The panel has not ruled, and neither outcome is assured.

Thaksin seeks amnesty in four cases he says arose from political conflicts from 2005 to 2016, including the 46.37-billion-baht asset seizure.

Mr Olan said a favourable ruling could restore Thaksin’s influence and give the Pheu Thai Party leverage with the Bhumjaithai-led government, which depends on Pheu Thai and Klatham Party support.

However, Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva questioned whether Thaksin qualified, saying any improper ruling would face scrutiny.

A fire swept through 79 houses in the Patthana Bon Kai community in Bangkok in the early hours of Monday. There were no injuries reported.

About 124 families were evacuated to a temporary shelter and Pathum Wan district officials were inspecting the scene.

The fire broke out about 12.51am and was reported to have begun in a two-storey wooden house.

The houses there are each attached to their neighbours, allowing the blaze to spread quickly throughout the community, which is in the Lumphini area, officials said.

The blaze was declared under control at 2.37am.

Residents fled from their homes onto the streets as the flames spread, and a later check confirmed no one was injured or missing.

Pathum Wan District Office said a total of 79 households were damaged, with 321 residents affected.

The Patthana Bon Kai community, located near Rama IV Road, was previously ravaged by fire in June 2022, when about 30 houses were destroyed.

Arsenic levels in the Sai River exceeded safety standards at all monitoring points in the latest survey, prompting Thai authorities to step up water quality checks and seek cooperation with Myanmar and Laos.

The Pollution Control Department (PCD) on Sunday released findings from its 23rd round of water quality testing, conducted in late September at 23 stations along the Kok, Ruak, Mekong and Sai rivers in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.

Arsenic levels in the other three rivers remained within safety standards, although the department reported rising concentrations in the Mekong, which it linked to flooding from neighbouring countries.

The PCD has instructed provincial authorities and relevant agencies, particularly the Provincial Waterworks Authority, to intensify checks on raw water and tap water.

Investigations are also under way into possible arsenic contamination in agricultural products, including rice, although more data is needed.

The department said inspections had found no domestic pollution source responsible for the contamination in northern Thailand, prompting efforts to investigate the problem with neighbouring countries.

A joint Thailand-Myanmar working group will meet later this month. The PCD will also coordinate with Laos through the Mekong River Commission to monitor water quality in border areas this month.

The department is working with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, Japan, SCG and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the United States to study contaminated sediment management and improve heavy-metal detection equipment.

That said, the PCD said excessive arsenic levels in surface water did not necessarily mean tap water exceeded safety limits.

Microsoft has announced major updates to its Bluetooth system in Windows 11, to solve long-standing wireless headphone connectivity issues such as sluggish pairing, connection failures, frequent dropouts, and audio stuttering that have plagued Apple AirPods users in particular.

The fix will also speed up computer pairing times, by up to 15 seconds, according to Microsoft.

Connecting AirPods to Windows devices has long been a source of frustration due to setup difficulties and limited feature availability compared to the seamless integration offered on iOS and macOS platforms.

Despite these hurdles, many users continue to pair AirPods with Windows PCs due to brand familiarity, audio quality and overall comfort, or simply because they prefer using a single headset across all their devices rather than purchasing additional hardware.

Microsoft said it has overhauled several components within its Bluetooth stack, targeting the discovery and pairing process that previously caused long delays or timed out with connection failure errors. The company clarified that while AirPods benefit significantly, the fixes also extend to wireless headphones from other manufacturers.

The update introduces stability enhancements designed to prevent dropped connections and resolve status display bugs. Previously, Windows 11 Quick Settings would occasionally display a “Connected” status even after headphones had disconnected, causing manual disconnection attempts to inadvertently trigger a reconnection loop instead.

Audio performance during voice calls and online meetings has also been addressed. The patch rectifies stuttering and instability issues when using built-in microphones on certain models, while improving Bluetooth LE Audio integration for more reliable overall sound delivery.

A minor interface quirk has also been resolved: adjusting the volume via physical buttons on a headset during calls now triggers the standard volume slider overlay on screen, fixing a bug where volume levels changed without visual feedback.

In addition, Microsoft fixed an issue where the Bluetooth toggle switch in the Settings menu failed to reflect the actual state of the radio hardware, alongside general stability tweaks to the Bluetooth and devices control panel for smoother device management.

The overhaul represents an ongoing effort rather than a sudden release, following incremental patches deployed earlier in the year. The KB5095093 update released in June previously enabled AirPods to appear faster in pairing lists, whereas the October release rolls out the full suite of stability and performance upgrades to the wider public.

However, Microsoft noted that the advertised 15-second pairing speed boost will vary depending on specific AirPods models, PC Bluetooth hardware adapters and system configurations. Independent tests conducted by tech outlet Windows Latest showed pairing speed improvements of approximately 20 per cent for both AirPods and Samsung Galaxy Buds.

The world’s largest sportswear brand is taking its iconic Swoosh beyond sneakers and apparel, venturing into the jewellery market with a new collection of demi-fine accessories for Holiday 2026.

Dubbed the Swoosh Jewelry Collection, the line translates Nike’s instantly recognisable branding into wearable pieces made from S925 sterling silver, with white rhodium plated pieces and gold vermeil finishes. The debut range includes necklaces, bracelets and earrings, offering a more understated way for brand enthusiasts to display their allegiance to the iconic brand.

The designs in this collection seem to favour minimalism, with Swoosh incorporated in the jewellery in a small way, rather than appearing as an oversized logo pendant.

Its 29mm hoop earrings feature the signature mark along the lower curve, while the necklace integrates a smaller Swoosh into a delicate curb chain. The adjustable necklace measures between 42.5cm and 52.5cm, allowing it to be worn alone or layered with other pieces.

The collection also draws on Nike’s familiar brand language, extending beyond its signature emblem to incorporate other visual references associated with the sportswear giant.

For those seeking something more conspicuous, Nike has also introduced a separate Pavé jewellery range. The more extravagant designs include diamond-encrusted Swoosh earrings, a pendant necklace and a miniature Air Force 1 sneaker necklace.

The two ranges occupy different ends of the jewellery spectrum. While the initial Swoosh collection offers relatively accessible entry points, the Pavé pieces move into considerably more expensive territory.

This move reflects the growing potential of fashion and sportswear brands to turn their visual identities into products that extend beyond their original categories. For Nike, the Swoosh is already more than a logo: it is a cultural symbol associated with sport, streetwear and personal identity. Recasting it in precious-metal finishes allows consumers to carry that association into another aspect of everyday dressing.

Jewellery also offers a different kind of brand visibility. Unlike footwear and apparel, which are often dictated by outfit choices and occasions, smaller accessories can become everyday personal signatures. By placing its emblem on pieces designed for regular wear, Nike creates another way for consumers to engage with the brand, notably acting like free marketing at each neck.

This choice to turn their logo into demi-fine jewelry is particularly unique. As the price point of the jewellery is higher than costume jewellery but distinctively more accessible compared to fine jewellery, the release of the ‘Swoosh Jewelry Collection’ opens up a new line for Nike to endeavour.

The first pieces are now released through Nike’s US SNKRS platform, with prices ranging from US$165 to upwards of $575 for the Air Force 1 necklace. The more elaborate Pavé designs, are expected in subsequent releases.

Thailand wants to become a regional artificial intelligence (AI) medical hub by developing AI models tailored to Southeast Asian populations and turning decades of clinical research into advances in precision medicine, drug discovery and cancer treatment.

The strategy seeks to combine the country’s clinical expertise, diverse patient data and research archives with private investment to bring innovations to commercial usage, said Deputy Prime Minister Yodchanan Wongsawat at the Global Medical AI Summit 2026 yesterday, co-hosted by the AI Entrepreneur Association of Thailand (AIEAT) and the Technology and Innovation in Life Sciences National Agency.

Thailand’s priorities span from building regional medical foundation models, AI-driven genomics, generative biology, autonomous discovery, longitudinal AI, human digital twins and precision oncology, he noted.

The regional medical foundation models rely on AI systems trained on extensive datasets to support multiple applications that address Southeast Asian populations.

Mr Yodchanan said existing models are insufficiently tailored to the region’s demographics and clinical conditions.

“Thailand’s multicultural patient base could help develop systems better suited to these populations,” he said.

The proposed models will move beyond 2D imaging to 3D structures and 4D data capturing changes over time, enabling analysis of complex spatial and time-series clinical information, noted Mr Yodchanan.

AI-driven genomics can connect clinical and biological data to support personalised care. University hospitals’ tissue-imaging archives, spanning 50 years, could provide a foundation for cancer research.

Linking these records with molecular biology and spatial transcriptomics, which maps gene activity within tissues, could deepen understanding of cancer and guide more targeted treatments, he said.

Generative biology and autonomous discovery would involve laboratories where AI systems connect to equipment, initiate experiments, analyse results and guide subsequent tests. Automating repeated experimental work can accelerate parts of drug discovery.

Longitudinal AI and human digital twins develop disease-specific twins for heart disease, diabetes, and kidney disease risk prediction.

Mr Yodchanan said medical AI should support preventive care and drug discovery using local natural ingredients, linking healthcare research with Thailand’s agricultural resources.

Under a “one health” approach, human health information would be combined with environmental, animal and agricultural data to improve understanding of disease and prevention, he noted.

Thailand’s demographic and behavioural diversity could strengthen its appeal to international researchers, alongside its position as a medical destination connecting India, southern China, Vietnam and southern Indonesia.

Mr Yodchanan also proposed adapting space and defence technologies to locally produce medical imaging equipment and vaccine machinery.

FROM RESEARCH TO MARKET

University hospitals account for 80-90% of Thailand’s medical innovations, making them central to these ambitions, he noted.

A nationwide consortium of university holding companies was established to facilitate collaboration in related areas. Technology licensing offices would help startups and overseas partners access intellectual property and turn research into products.

Mr Yodchanan urged researchers to pursue original scientific contributions capable of competing in the international market. Government funding alone might be insufficient to scale pharmaceutical and medical AI ventures, requiring international venture capital and private investment.

“Supporting infrastructure would include high-performance data centres, reliable energy supplies and shared laboratories,” he said.

Supachai Parchariyanon, managing partner of SeaX Ventures, said the company’s non-profit Southeast Asia Health Tech Innovation Hub aims to accelerate clinical validation, hospital adoption and market expansion. The network spans 50 partner health systems and has reached 30 million patients, targeting 100 million by the end of 2028. The hub is working with Skribe Medical USA on AI-discovered cancer drugs, he said.

Chanwit Boonchuay, the AIEAT president, identified three opportunities for medical AI solutions: earlier disease detection, personalised care, and AI-driven drug discovery.