Category: The Bangkok Post

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn stressed the need for collaboration across borders, sectors, and communities to achieve food security, sustainability, and resilience, at an event marking the 80th anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the 2025 regional observance of World Food Day on Oct 16.

The princess — who also serves as the FAO Goodwill Ambassador for Asia and the Pacific — highlighted how more than half of the world’s undernourished population lives in Asia, where many still face hunger and lack access to nutritious food.

Smallholder farmers continue to struggle with limited resources, while communities remain vulnerable to climate-related disasters.

She noted that climate change has worsened natural disasters, destroyed harvests, and displaced countless people, while water scarcity and unsustainable practices have further degraded agricultural lands.

These burdens, she said, fall hardest on smallholder farmers who lack the support they need.

“Hand-in-hand means governments working together to craft policies that protect the vulnerable and promote sustainable farming; businesses partnering with farmers to strengthen supply chains, reduce food loss and waste, and ensure fair prices; and researchers sharing innovations so that even remote farmers can benefit from climate-smart agriculture,” she said.

“We must develop agri-food systems that are resilient to climate change, inclusive of all people, and able to provide every individual with safe, affordable, and diverse nutrition. At the same time, we must safeguard biodiversity and natural resources to ensure that future generations inherit a healthier, more sustainable planet,” she said.

“As FAO Special Goodwill Ambassador, I am committed to this cause,” she continued. “But true progress depends on all of us — governments, international organisations, farmers, businesses, and communities — joining hands to strengthen and transform our agri-food systems into engines of health, prosperity, and sustainability.”

Dr Alue Dohong, FAO assistant director-general and regional representative for Asia and the Pacific, added that 2.6 billion people cannot afford a healthy diet, facing the triple burden of hunger, malnutrition, and obesity.

Yet, he said, innovation and partnership offer hope for “better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life for all”.

He also expressed deep gratitude for the princess’s enduring support.

Flooding persisted in 19 provinces on Wednesday, mainly in the Central Plain and the Northeast, with water levels generally unchanged or a little down.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported on Wednesday that the Central Plain was the hardest hit, with eight flooded provinces – Uhai Thani, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Suphan Buri, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani and Nakhon Pathom.

Flood levels were unchanged in Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ayutthaya and Nakhon Pathom but lower in Uthai Thani, Ang Thong, Suphan Buri and Pathum Thani.

In Chai Nat the Chao Phraya River flowed through the Chao Phraya barrage at the stable rate of 2,400 cubic metres per second, according to the Royal Irrigation Department.

In the Northeast, there was flooding in Uttaradit, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Sukhothai, Phichit and Nakhon Sawan. Flood levels were unchanged in Phitsanulok, Phichit and Nakhon Sawan and were receding in Uttaradit, Phetchabun and Sukhothai.

Four other northeastern provinces — Chaiyaphum, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani and Yasothon — also experienced flooding, with stable flood levels.

The only eastern province affected was Chachoengsao, where flood levels were rising in Bang Nam Prieo district.

The Meteorological Department said from Thursday to Tuesday next week rain would decline in the North and the Northeast and increase in the Central Plain, the East and the South.

In response to Cambodia’s failure to submit a plan for repatriating its citizens living in three disputed areas, including Nong Chan, in Sa Kaeo province, the Thai army has indicated it will boycott the forthcoming Regional Border Committee (RBC) meeting with Cambodia, scheduled to take place in Poi Pet on Friday and Saturday.

Thailand had required that its neighbour submit its plan by yesterday, ahead of Friday’s evacuation deadline, as set by the Sa Kaeo governor following a series of confrontations between Cambodian protesters and Thai crowd control personnel last month.

The latter resorted to tear gas and rubber bullets as the protest turned rowdy, with accusations made that Phnom Penh was using “human shield” tactics.

It’s understood that the Cambodian villagers are originally those who fled the civil war in the 1970s and took shelter at Nong Chan, which was designated as Camp 511.

When the war was over three decades later, these Cambodians did not return to their homeland, while their families had largely extended. It’s reported that about 200 Cambodian families are living on an area spanning over 190 rai of land.

The Nong Chan problem had lingered on for decades until August, when it suddenly escalated into a conflict hotspot, following the violent clashes between the two armies in Surin and other areas in southern Isan provinces. The area drew the attention of some ultra-nationalist Thais who demanded tough action against the long-standing land occupation, threatening local authorities that they would face Section 157, which penalises state officials for dereliction of duty.

Then there is the issue of geography. It should be noted that all information and infographics on the Nong Chan issue are provided by the Thai army, which insists that the hotspot, as well as portions of land in Nong Ya Kaeo and Ta Phraya districts, are located on Thai soil. However, some scholars say there are some overlapping claim areas that need to be verified.

Only yesterday, Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree, the Royal Thai Army’s spokesperson, acknowledged on the army’s official webpage that a small land plot on Cambodian soil could be occupied by Thais for farming.

The question is: Why not thoroughly verify such claims or doubts before taking harsh action? Boycotting the meeting may not be in Thailand’s best interests. The Thai authorities must maintain open lines of communication, join the RBC, and continue to press for their demands. Any differences should be settled at the negotiating table.

At least, when Defence Minister Natthaphon Narkphanich attended the General Border Committee meeting in Koh Kong last month, he expressed his confidence that the Nong Chan issue could be managed in the mutual interest of both parties. This is only possible if both sides are willing to move forward.

Expelling people who have lived in specific areas for generations could prove too difficult. Academic experts have suggested that other practical options should be explored, such as land swaps, following a successful model practised by Thailand and Malaysia decades ago.

It’s time for Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to exercise his leadership and stop making short-term gains through ultranationalist measures. Such acts are driven by a hope for popularity, which pushes the country nowhere. He must provide proper guidelines to local authorities, ensuring that they keep all bilateral mechanisms in place.

Shrewsbury International School Bangkok Riverside, has once again excelled on the global academic stage, announcing its exceptional 2025 examination results and underscoring its position as one of the Thailand’s leading international schools. The Class of 2025 achieved outstanding academic outcomes whilst also securing places at many of the world’s most prestigious universities.

Graduates from the Class of 2025 are set to continue their studies at more than 65 top universities worldwide, including four Ivy League institutions, 38 Russell Group universities, the University of Cambridge, and the University of Exeter. Over 40% will attend leading UK universities such as UCL, Imperial College London, University of Bath, University of Exeter, and University of Warwick, while 25% will study in the United States at institutions including Cornell University, New York University, Babson College, Boston University, and Columbia University. The others will join top universities in Thailand, across Europe, Asia, and Australia, affirming Shrewsbury Bangkok Riverside’s role as a gateway for global academic excellence. In addition, graduates are pursuing diverse fields of study, spanning Business, Science, Medicine, Law, Humanities, and Creative Arts, reflecting the diversity of interests across the cohort.

Shrewsbury Bangkok Riverside also reported record success across examination results. At A-Level, 65% of grades were awarded at A*/A. At AS-Level, 90% of students achieved grades A/B, while at IGCSE, 74% of grades were awarded at A*/A. These results further highlight the school’s commitment to academic excellence and consistent delivery of world-class outcomes across all stages of senior school examinations.

Thailand’s motorcycle market should record more sales in the final quarter of this year thanks to government stimulus measures that are expected to increase consumer purchasing power and lift business confidence, says Thai Honda, a manufacturer and distributor of motorcycles and multi-purpose engines.

The recovery is expected to be fuelled by an uptick in the granting of auto loans by banks and car financing companies as they are likely to consider relaxing the lending criteria, said Samphan Kwanjai, general manager of Thai Honda.

The projection of more loans being granted is based on a decline in non-performing loans among car buyers, following banks’ months-long strict criteria in lending money amid the high level of household debt and the state’s 10,000-baht cash handout scheme that helped motorcycle owners partly repay their loans.

“We have a new government that wants to stimulate the economy in the short term,” said Mr Samphan.

“We are positive about the government’s efforts that should increase people’s spending.”

However, Thailand is continuing to face economic uncertainties, caused by internal and external factors, during the second half of this year, which could affect the automotive industry, said Yuichi Shimizu, president of Thai Honda.

Low prices of agricultural products can weaken people’s purchasing power while the global economic slowdown will affect the Thai economy, he said.

Thai Honda expects its motorcycle sales to increase by 2% year-on-year to between 1.36 and 1.4 million units in 2025 while total sales of motorcycles in the domestic market are expected to increase by 1% to 1.7-1.75 million units.

From January to August this year, total motorcycle sales increased by just 1.4% to 1.18 million units, according to the Federation of Thai Industries. In August, the sales volume fell by 1.1% to 130,283 units.

Last year, Thai Honda produced 1.57 million motorcycles at its plant in Bangkok’s Lad Krabang Industrial Estate, with 1.35 million units sold domestically and the remainder exported.

Mr Shimizu said the company is not concerned about the regional value content rule that requires manufacturers to use a certain amount of locally sourced materials for production to benefit from US reduced tariffs.

“Locally made materials currently account for 82-90% of our total motorcycle parts, meaning we support local products and employment,” he said.

The firm employs 8,620 workers, most of whom are Thai.

CIMB Thai Bank (CIMBT) plans to expand the number of its independent financial advisors (IFAs) to 500 by the end of this year, amid intensifying competition in the financial advisory profession.

According to Bhudinan Sethanandha, head of affluent and wealth management at CIMBT, the bank has grown its IFA network from 30-40 advisors at the beginning of the year to around 150, targeting 500 by year-end.

This expansion is driven by the strong growth of its wealth management business and a shortage of financial advisors across the industry, he said.

“Competition for IFAs in the financial sector — including banking, securities and asset management — has become increasingly fierce. CIMBT is among the first banks to actively recruit for this role,” said Mr Bhudinan.

Across the Thai financial market, there are around 20,000 IFAs, steadily increasing in recent years. IFAs at each financial institution possess varied areas of expertise, aligning with the distinct financial products and services of each institution.

At CIMBT, the bank focuses its IFAs primarily on the secondary bond market, which represents its service strength, he said. The secondary bond market in Thailand has posted continued growth.

Trading volume in the secondary bond market contributed largely by individual investors is expected to reach 55 billion baht this year, up 10% year-on-year.

CIMBT accounts for around 30% of this total trading volume.

The bank offers financial transactions to individual wealth clients via an omni-channel model that combines human advisory support with digital platforms, ensuring access to sophisticated financial products.

Mr Bhudinan said the bank plans to expand its IFA network next year to support the continued growth of its wealth management business.

CIMBT, a mid-sized bank, aims to triple its assets under management in five years, which will require building sufficient human resources to meet increasing demand, he said.

The bank also wants to increase its relationship managers for wealth management clients from more than 100.

CIMBT will continue to enhance its digital platforms to provide customers with greater convenience and efficiency for financial transactions, said Mr Bhudinan.

The Aspen Tree The Forestias, a holistic healthcare community for older adults, has partnered with Baycrest Global Solutions, Canada, to deliver international-standard senior living, health, and brain care.

With over 105 years of expertise, Baycrest is a global leader in aging, brain health, and preventive research. The organisation holds the highest accreditation from Accreditation Canada and serves as a centre of excellence through its Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI), Baycrest Academy for Research and Education (BARE), and collaborations with the University of Toronto.

Under this collaboration, Baycrest manages and advises operations at The Aspen Tree’s Health and Brain Center (HBC), ensuring medical services, safety protocols, and wellness programs meet international healthcare standards. Baycrest’s team works closely with The Aspen Tree’s medical professionals to design and implement evidence-based care models tailored for Thailand’s aging population.

The Health and Brain Center provides a full spectrum of services, including Geriatric Medicine, Rehabilitation, Memory and Brain Clinics, Preventive Health Programs, and Long-Term Care. Its programs integrate clinical care with neuroscience research and innovations to promote physical and cognitive well-being for those aged 50 and above.

Baycrest also introduces Cogniciti, a digital brain health assessment tool that helps identify early signs of cognitive decline. Through ongoing professional training, system development, and knowledge transfer, Baycrest empowers Thai healthcare teams to deliver safe, effective, and sustainable eldercare aligned with international best practices.

This collaboration establishes The Aspen Tree The Forestias as a leading model of holistic senior living in Thailand-combining cutting-edge brain science, compassionate care, and a wellness-focused environment designed for lifelong independence and happiness. For more information, visit https://mqdc.com/aspentree

England and Portugal are in pole position to win their respective 2026 World Cup qualifying groups with two games to spare, with several other European nations also hoping to secure berths at the finals in the upcoming matches.

Norway may also be only one victory away from reaching the tournament for the first time since 1998, which would leave Italy staring at a third successive World Cup watching from the sidelines.

Thomas Tuchel’s England laid down a marker last month with an impressive 5-0 thrashing of Serbia in Belgrade and are yet to concede a goal in five qualifiers.

They are not in Group K action until Tuesday when a victory over Latvia in Riga would secure a place at next year’s finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada, if Serbia do not beat Albania on Saturday.

England boast a seven-point lead over Albania with three matches to play, with Serbia a point further back but with a game in hand.

Several players who were not previously considered first-choice starred in Serbia, leading Tuchel to leave out big names Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish from his latest squad.

“Keep on pushing,” Tuchel, whose side play Wales in a friendly on Thursday, said as his message to those missing out.

“It is a decision for this camp, it was the best camp (in September) in terms of team spirit and team work, this was the best camp so far.

“We decided to invite the same group of players to make more stable what we built on.”

Serbia’s clash with Albania could prove crucial in deciding which team finishes second and goes into the play-offs.

In-form Portugal eye early qualification

Portugal racked up eight goals in their first two qualifiers in September and will likely need just two more wins over this international break to wrap up top spot in Group F.

Roberto Martinez’s side will qualify with victories against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday and Hungary on Tuesday, unless Armenia beat both those same opponents.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored three goals in September, including one in a tense 3-2 success against Hungary in Budapest, sealed by a late Joao Cancelo penalty.

Portugal are targeting a seventh successive World Cup appearance.

Norway have enjoyed a dream start to qualifying, scoring 24 goals in five successive wins to move to the brink of the finals.

Erling Haaland, who is yet to play at a major tournament, already has a remarkable nine goals in their group, after netting five in the 11-1 thumping of Moldova last time out.

Norway host Israel on Saturday, knowing that victory would end their 28-year absence from the World Cup if Italy fail to beat either Estonia or Israel in Group I.

But the Scandinavians will be without skipper Martin Odegaard after he suffered a knee injury playing for Arsenal last weekend.

“We lost our captain, and we have to live with that,” said coach Stale Solbakken.

“Of course you get angry and upset and those kinds of feelings, but then you quickly get into a mode where you have to think constructively.”

Four-time world champions Italy will be desperate to avoid the play-offs, after losing at that stage in qualifying for both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Sweden and North Macedonia respectively.

France, the 2018 World Cup winners and runners-up three years ago, could also qualify with victories against Azerbaijan and Iceland, if Iceland draw with Ukraine.

European champions Spain too have an opportunity to book a ticket to North and Central America if they defeat both Georgia and Bulgaria, but only if multiple other results go their way in Group E.

Croatia and Switzerland could also qualify in the coming week.

Germany, though, have little margin for error in Group A after a shock defeat by Slovakia in their opening qualifier.

Julian Nagelsmann’s side face Luxembourg on Friday before heading to Windsor Park to take on Northern Ireland three days later.

Starting a construction business – or any business – is a dream for many and a powerful engine that drives a nation’s economy. Yet those dreams often collide with complex and time-consuming government licensing procedures. What should ensure fairness and compliance instead becomes a major barrier that causes delays, frustration, and, more critically, opens the door to a deeply rooted problem: bribery. This silent force undermines trust and erodes national credibility.

This form of corruption typically involves offering or receiving benefits in exchange for the issuance of licences or permits for activities regulated by the state. The problem stems from lengthy, complicated processes that grant certain officials excessive discretion. Such gaps in the system provide opportunities for demanding or offering bribes in return for faster approvals. It may seem like a shortcut, but in reality, it is the first step into a damaging and self-perpetuating cycle.

What appears to be a temporary fix – paying a bribe to speed things up – eventually corrodes the entire system. As bribery becomes normalised, it weakens fair competition and discourages honest entrepreneurs. More importantly, society bears the cost: unsafe buildings due to substandard construction, and depleted marine resources from unregulated fishing. These are not isolated incidents – they are direct outcomes of corruption within the licensing process.

Common examples include construction permits in urban areas, where bribes are solicited to expedite approvals or bypass environmental checks. In coastal zones, bribes may be exchanged for fishing licences to evade monitoring requirements. Such acts not only compromise public safety and environmental sustainability but also damage the country’s reputation in the eyes of investors and international partners.

The Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (ONACC) is tackling these challenges head-on through its comprehensive initiative, ‘Together Against Bribery’ (TaB), which aims to address the problem systematically and sustainably. However, no effort can succeed without the participation of everyone.

Rejecting both the giving and taking of bribes is a powerful step towards breaking the cycle of corruption. When citizens, businesses, and officials unite in integrity, transparency becomes the norm rather than the exception.

Be the eyes and ears of your community. Report any suspicious acts or information to ONACC. Together, we can stop this silent threat and make a transparent, bribe-free society a reality.

A 51-year-old man accused of committing multiple home burglaries while naked has been arrested in Chok Chai district.

Chaliaw Khramkrathok was stopped and taken into police custody while riding a motorcycle in tambon Tha Yiam of Chok Chai district on Tuesday afternoon.

He was named in arrest warrants for multiple burglaries in Chakkarat, Khon Buri and Nong Boon Mak districts since March this year.

According to police, the suspect has a house in Chok Chai district but tried to avoid arrest by living outside in paddy fields.

He had broken into several houses in Chakkarat and Nong Boon Mak districts in March, and into four houses in Khon Buri district last month, police said.

Mr Chaliaw stole personal valuables and cash and was often naked when he committed the thefts, and was filmed by security cameras.

He told police that he took off his clothes because he did not want to be recognised by his clothing. Sometimes he stripped off because his clothes were soaked by rain.