Category: The Bangkok Post

A new 15-kilometre border road along the Thai-Cambodian frontier in Chanthaburi is expected to be completed by the end of this month, facilitating tactical troop movement if necessary.

Rear Admiral Paraj Ratanajaipan, spokesman for the Royal Thai Navy (RTN), said on Wednesday the road in Pong Nam Ron district had reached 13km. The gravel-paved road will enhance military logistics and enable rapid mobilisation along the border zone.

Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Pairote Fuangchan inspected the site to assess readiness in case of renewed tensions and review progress in solving border encroachments in Chanthaburi and Trat, where 17 problem areas have been identified.

These included illegal Cambodian military outposts, man-made channels, and rubber plantations extending into Thai territory, said the spokesman. Most have already been addressed, and Adm Pairote has ordered operations to ensure all incursions are cleared from Thai soil, he added.

The road project was initiated after Thai forces detected encroachment near the Ban Laem border, where Cambodian workers dug channels to divert water and cut off sections of Thai land. Thai troops and villagers collaborated to refill the trenches and restore the terrain. Locals also raised funds and provided machinery to support the effort, he said.

The Navy chief’s visit also followed up on the National Security Council’s policy to install fencing along the frontier.

Adm Pairote surveyed areas between boundary markers 52 and 58, identified as suitable for the first phase of construction with mutual consent from both sides. The fencing aims to curb cross-border crime – particularly drug trafficking and illegal migration – while strengthening local security, said the navy spokesman.

Adm Pairote also visited border units stationed in the tense zone, praising their dedication despite limited troop rotations.

He urged officers to maintain morale and expressed gratitude to civilians who had contributed labour and resources to reclaim disputed land.

The spokesman reaffirmed the military’s commitment to defending national sovereignty, saying: ‘Not a single inch of Thai territory will be surrendered.’

The Finance Ministry is preparing to review tax deductions and exemptions as part of efforts to address concerns over public debt raised by credit rating agencies.

According to Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, the ministry is scheduled to review the medium-term fiscal framework (MTFF), which serves as the government’s fiscal discipline guideline, in November.

Several issues are under consideration, including adjusting the criteria for various tax deductions (which do not require amendments to the Revenue Code), reviewing previously granted tax exemptions, and promoting the use of digital systems for tax filing.

‘Although we have not yet made digital filing mandatory, I believe transitioning to a digital system – while allowing exceptions for those with limited access – will significantly expand our tax base and demonstrate the government’s fiscal discipline,’ Mr Ekniti said on Thursday.

He said current deductions are too scattered and lack a clear framework. The ministry must set an annual ceiling for total deductions to define a clear maximum limit, he said.

The review is expected to be completed by November, and a study team is already working on it, said Mr Ekniti.

Improving tax deductions and abolishing certain tax exemptions would increase government revenue by a considerable extent, he said.

Regarding proposed revisions to tax deductions, Mr Ekniti said he was interested in the Stock Exchange of Thailand’s proposal for an Individual Saving Account system.

Under this approach, individuals are allowed to choose their own investments within a specified limit – whether in stocks, bonds or other instruments. This creates a personal investment framework, eliminating the need to constantly launch new products such as long-term equity funds (LTFs), retirement mutual funds or ESG funds, which often overlap.

He said all these could be combined into a single system, giving people greater flexibility and choice: some may prefer to invest in government bonds, others seeking higher risk can choose equities, while others may invest abroad.

Investors would have greater freedom to select products suiting their preferences and risk appetite.

‘In the past, when the LTF scheme was introduced, everyone rushed to buy units just for tax benefits, but later many of those funds suffered losses. If people are allowed to choose where to invest independently, it would better match their interests and risk preferences,’ said Mr Ekniti.

These reforms are part of the MTFF revisions scheduled for November, aimed at addressing the government’s debt overhang, he said.

Rating agencies adjusted Thailand’s outlook due to three main concerns, including political issues, which the minister said are beyond the ministry’s control.

The second issue is Thailand’s economic growth potential, which the government aims to strengthen by focusing on human capital development and investment in new industries, such as data centres, digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI), areas in which Thailand can compete globally.

The third issue is public debt and the fiscal deficit. He said the government intends to examine the government’s revenue structure to identify where the gaps or leakages lie, as well as review expenditures to determine which areas are overspending.

The administration also wants to emphasise investment spending, said Mr Ekniti.

These steps are likely to be implemented within four months, he said.

The Revenue Department provides several tax deduction categories, covering both personal deductions and investment-related deductions supported by the government.

Examples include investments in Super Savings Fund units, which allow taxpayers to deduct up to 30% of their assessable income, not exceeding 200,000 baht a year; investments in ESG funds, deductible up to 30% of assessable income, not exceeding 300,000 baht; mortgage interest, deductible up to 100,000 baht; and life insurance premiums for policies with a minimum term of 10 years, deductible for the actual amount paid, not exceeding 100,000 baht.

The withdrawal of Cambodia’s heavy weapons and civilians from disputed areas has been designated as one of the key conditions by Thailand in response to a letter from US President Donald Trump, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Thursday.

Speaking during his visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to deliver policy guidance, Mr Anutin, who also serves as an interior minister, said the meeting was held to prepare for upcoming negotiations with Cambodia, as well as to formulate a response to Trump’s letter addressed to him.

Mr Anutin said Trump had sent a letter expressing his desire for the country and Cambodia to resolve ongoing border tensions.

The remark came a day after Mr Anutin appeared to dismiss any further role for Mr Trump – who is seeking a Nobel Peace Prize – in negotiations between the two nations to resolve their border dispute.

Mr Anutin expressed appreciation for the goodwill shown by the US president, who conveyed his wish for regional peace, especially regarding the ongoing Thailand-Cambodia border issue.

He reaffirmed Thailand’s unwavering commitment to peace and its intention to ensure that all efforts contribute to long-term regional stability and harmony.

He emphasised that prior agreements between Thailand and Cambodia must be upheld, including the withdrawal of heavy weaponry, demining efforts along the border, addressing online scam operations and ensuring lawful administration of areas within Thai territory.

‘These are the official positions of the Thai government,’ Mr Anutin said, noting that these terms had been clearly communicated to mediators involved in the dispute. However, he stressed that both Thailand and Cambodia, as the directly involved parties, must take responsibility for resolving the issue.

When asked about the statement from the Chinese ambassador to Cambodia, who expressed China’s readiness to support Cambodia in resolving the dispute, Mr Anutin responded that the Chinese ambassador to Thailand had given similar assurances.

‘Nevertheless, I wish to emphasise that this is a matter between Thailand and Cambodia. I believe other countries have good intentions and wish to see the conflict de-escalate,’ he added.

Regarding Thailand’s management of the Ban Nong Chan area in Sa Kaeo province, and how this will be communicated internationally, Mr Anutin said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will first issue a formal letter to Cambodia clarifying that Thailand must act to safeguard its sovereignty and that all actions will be legal.

In response to an article published by the Khmer Times, which claimed the prime minister had set an Oct 10 deadline for Cambodians to leave the Ban Nong Chan and Ban Nong Ya Kaeo areas in Sa Kaeo, Mr Anutin denied the report. ‘The word ‘deadline’ has never been used by this government,’ he said.

The prime minister also expressed confidence that security agencies already have measures in place. He reiterated that, since day one in office, he has affirmed that diplomacy and negotiations fall under the full authority of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, which is empowered to pursue the best possible outcomes.

As for defending and safeguarding national sovereignty, that responsibility lies entirely with the armed forces. He added that the government’s role is to provide full support to both the military and the Foreign Ministry in fulfilling their respective missions.

Fabricio Andrade will finally make his long-awaited return to ONE Championship when he defends his bantamweight MMA world title against Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu at ONE Fight Night 38 in Bangkok.

The December 7 event at Lumpinee Stadium marks the Brazilian’s second title defence – and his first fight in nearly 11 months.

Andrade, 27, last competed at ONE 170 inside Bangkok’s Impact Arena in January, when he stopped South Korea’s Kwon Won Il in just 42 seconds. That blistering TKO extended his record to 10-2 (1 NC) and reaffirmed his reputation as one of the most dangerous strikers in MMA.

But after another extended lay-off, the ‘Wonder Boy’ now faces a new challenge in Mongolia’s ‘Tormentor’, who has quietly put together a three-fight win streak to earn his first title shot.

The 36-year-old veteran has impressed with his relentless pace and durability, posting wins over Carlo Bumina-Ang, Aaron Canarte and Jeremy Pacatiw. His wrestling-heavy style has made him one of the division’s most underrated threats – and now, he steps into the biggest opportunity of his career.

Andrade, for his part, sent a simple message to fans on social media after the announcement: ‘#AndStill.’

The Brazilian champion has stayed patient despite inactivity in the bantamweight division, having waited nearly two years between his title-clinching win over John Lineker in February 2023 and his January defence.

He’ll aim to make a statement in December, and potentially set up a blockbuster 2026 campaign with fresh challengers such as Stephen Loman waiting in the wings.

The ONE Fight Night 38 card will also feature another world title bout.

Brazil’s Diogo ‘Baby Shark’ Reis, one of jiu-jitsu’s most exciting young stars, will meet Japan’s Daiki Yonekura for the vacant ONE flyweight submission grappling world championship.

Reis, a black belt under Melqui Galvao who made his ONE debut in March with a submission of Shoya Ishiguro via rolling kimura, now looks to cement himself as the new face of ONE’s flyweight division following the departure of former champ Mikey Musumeci.

Yonekura, 24, will make his ONE Championship debut, having earned acclaim in the Asian grappling scene for his aggressive, submission-first style.

The return of the legendary Liam Harrison was also confirmed for the event on Thursday. ‘The Hitman’ will face Japan’s Shinji Suzuki in a bantamweight kickboxing bout.

Artists have repaired a mural that was recently defaced with graffiti on Charoen Krung 30 Road in Bang Rak district of Bangkok.

Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt updated the public on the repairs in a Facebook Live video on Wednesday night. The French ambassador to Bangkok, Jean-Claude Poimboeuf, was also present to observe the restoration.

Three Thai artists from Chiang Mai joined Carolina Adán Caro, the Spanish artist who created the mural on a wall on the historical inner Bangkok road last month, according to the Bangkok governor.

The French embassy in Bangkok sponsored the murals on 15 walls in the locality. It was part of the ‘Krungthep Creative Streets’ project, a collaboration with 15 international artists to transform walls along Charoen Krung Road with permission from the property owners.

The original mural, completed on Sept 17, took Ms Adán Caro 10 days to paint.

CCTV footage captured three vandals destroying the artwork in minutes by spraying over it on Sept 27. The Bangkok governor said two of them were arrested and the other one remained at large.

He also said that City Hall was preparing more walls specifically for graffiti and street art. He encouraged interested people to use such walls instead of vandalising others.

Some 2,457 hotels across the globe were recognised for their hospitality, out of more than 7,000 hotels. The most outstanding ones are awarded One, Two, or Three Michelin Keys.

Sixty-two hotels in Thailand have been awarded Michelin Keys in 2025, including six Three Keys, 21 Two Keys and 35 One Key. Among the Thai hotels awarded are:

Three Michelin Keys

The Siam, Bangkok.

Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Krabi.

Two Michelin Keys

New: Aman Nai Lert Bangkok.

Sala Samui Choengmon Beach, Koh Samui.

One Michelin Key

New: Dusit Thani Bangkok.

137 Pillars House, Chiang Mai.

In addition to the Keys, The Michelin Guide presented four special awards, recognising hotels for achievements that transcend traditional categories and celebrating excellence and uniqueness in specific areas of hospitality.

Michelin Architecture And Design Award: Atlantis The Royal (Dubai, UAE).

Michelin Wellness Award: Brgenstock Resort Switzerland.

Michelin Local Gateway Award: La Fiermontina Ocean (Larache, Morocco).

Michelin Opening of the Year Award: The Burman Hotel (Tallinn, Estonia).

Police are expediting their review of evidence in a high-profile 40-million-baht bribery case allegedly linked to Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaichanok Chidchob.

The case involves an alleged attempt to delay crackdowns on call centre scams, online fraud and illegal gambling operations. Investigators expect to forward their findings to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) within 30 days.

Investigators have completed taking Mr Chaichanok’s statement, which was consistent with earlier media reports, said Pol Col Manoon Kaewkam, chief of Subdivision 1 of the Crime Suppression Division (CSD).

“We must give our team time to do its work thoroughly before submitting the report to the NACC,” he said.

Earlier, Mr Chaichanok filed a formal complaint with the CSD after disclosing in parliament that someone had offered him 40 million baht to slow down the ministry’s crackdown efforts.

The bribe aimed to secure protection for transnational scam and gambling networks operating from nearby countries, he said. He was reportedly questioned for over six hours.

Foreign data centre operators eager to expand their businesses to Thailand can start buying clean power under the state’s direct power purchase agreement (PPA) scheme in December of this year, says the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

Authorities are keen to launch a pilot direct PPA scheme because it facilitates trade between power companies and their clients, which is a key factor for investors considering development of data centres in Thailand.

Peer-to-peer power trade in the renewables category remains banned in the country, but under a direct PPA, power producers can directly sell electricity to buyers.

Later this month, data centre operators will be given details of the direct PPA, including electricity prices and trade regulations, before the scheme is approved by the Energy Policy Administration Committee next month for a launch in December, said Poonpat Leesombatpiboon, secretary-general of the ERC.

‘A public hearing is being held from Oct 3-10, with adjustments expected later for investment issues,’ he said.

Participants in the direct PPA must be data centre operators granted investment incentives from the Board of Investment (BoI).

Many investors have applied for the investment privileges. Between 2022 and 2024, up to 27 data centre and cloud services projects were submitted to the board for approval, according to the BoI.

Implementation of the direct PPA scheme, with power generation capacity of 2 gigawatts, will extend beyond the Eastern Economic Corridor, as officials seek locations with adequate renewable energy generation and transmission infrastructure to support the initiative, said Mr Poonpat.

Solar energy will be prioritised for the scheme due to its lower generation costs compared to other renewable sources, said ERC deputy secretary-general Kan Saengruang.

Clean electricity prices under the scheme should not be different from those under direct PPA schemes in Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines, he said.

The Thai government plans to pilot the direct PPA scheme for a few years before expanding it to other industries, including printed circuit boards, electronics, and electric vehicles, all of which need clean energy to run their businesses.

Authorities temporarily closed two public parks in Muang district of this southern border province after eight bomb explosions on Wednesday night. No casualties were reported.

Seven bombs were apparently placed at an artificial waterfall in Khwan Mueang park and another went off on an islet at Sanam Chang Phueak park between 8.03pm and 10.51pm on Wednesday.

Yala deputy governor Kongsakul Chantharat told the Public Relations Department that the parks must be closed for safety checks after the incidents. They has been designated as venues for traditional ceremonies to mark the end of the Buddhist Lent.

The explosions followed three blasts at a youth centre in Muang district of the province on Tuesday night.

Bomb experts said timed pipe bombs weighing about one kilogramme each were used on Wednesday, like those in the explosions at the youth centre.

The incidents on Wednesday drew senior authorities to the scene. They included deputy national police chief Pol Gen Samran Nuanma and Lt Gen Noratip Poynok, the Fourth Army Area commander.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said he planned to visit the far South to follow up on security measures there this weekend.

Thailand’s Department of Disease Control has sounded the alarm over a sharp rise in influenza cases, which have now surpassed 700,000 nationwide, with 61 deaths reported.

As the country transitions into the cooler season, officials are urging vulnerable groups to get vaccinated immediately to curb further spread.

Dr Taweechai Visanuyothin, director of Disease Control Office 9 in Nakhon Ratchasima, said the situation is becoming increasingly worrisome. Between Jan 1 and Oct 8, a total of 702,238 flu cases were recorded across the country, with an incidence rate of 1,081.83 per 100,000 people. The death toll has reached 61, with most of the fatalities occurring among the elderly and young children.

Children aged 5 to 9 years old are the most affected group, followed by those aged under 4 and from 10 to 14. The highest mortality rates were found among people aged 60 and above, followed by those in the 50-59 and 40-49 age brackets, as well as children under four.

‘The changing weather during the end of the rainy season and the beginning of winter is a key factor,’ Dr Taweechai said. ‘It increases the risk of respiratory infections, especially influenza, which is spreading more easily this year.’

Influenza is transmitted through coughing, sneezing or contact with droplets from an infected person. Common symptoms include high fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, headache, fatigue and muscle aches. The virus can affect people of all ages and often spreads rapidly in crowded environments such as schools, prisons, military camps and workplaces.

To reduce transmission, health officials recommend avoiding crowded places, wearing masks, and washing hands frequently. Vaccination is strongly advised for seven high-risk groups: pregnant women (from four months’ gestation), children aged six months to two years, individuals with chronic conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, and diabetes.

Also included in the high-risk category are people aged 65 and older, those with thalassaemia or weakened immune systems, individuals with obesity, and people with neurological disabilities who cannot care for themselves. These groups are urged to receive an annual flu shot to lower the risk of severe illness and death.

Health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and are working to ensure vaccine access across the country. The public is encouraged to remain vigilant and take preventive measures seriously as flu season intensifies.