Category: The Bangkok Post

More than 350 private hospitals in Thailand have signed on to a government initiative to offer patients the option of buying medicines from external sources, according to the Department of Internal Trade.

The initiative aims to benefit Thais and expatriates, and is anticipated to reduce living costs by 32.4 billion baht, said Wittayakorn Maneenetr, director-general of the department, part of the Ministry of Commerce.

The ‘Happy Body, Happy Wallet’ programme is meant to enhance consumer choice by allowing patients to compare prices for medicines and supplies outside private hospitals, he said on Tuesday after meeting with hospital and Ministry of Public Health executives.

According to the guidelines, patients wishing to purchase medicines externally must inform their doctors during the consultation. The doctor then provides a prescription before payment is made at the hospital counter.

A total of 354 hospitals from nine private hospital groups nationwide plan to participate in the programme.

They include Bangkok Dusit Medical Services (BDMS), the country’s largest operator with more than 50 branches under the Bangkok Hospital, Samitivej, BNH, Phyathai and Paolo groups. Other participants are Thonburi Hospital, BPK Hospital Group, Bangkok Chain Hospital (Kasemrad Hospital), Ramkhamhaeng-Vibharam Hospital, Principal Healthcare Company, Navaminthra Hospital, Synphaet Hospital and Chularat Hospital Group.

The Department of Internal Trade plans to meet on Friday with the Pharmacy Association to work out details of the registration process. There are 20,099 pharmacies in Thailand, with 19,206 of them (93%) employing full-time licensed pharmacists.

Mr Wittayakorn said the project would cover about 90% of all medicines, including treatments for chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and high cholesterol, along with essential medical supplies. The scheme does not cover medicines for more severe or critical illnesses that require continued treatment, such as heart disease and cancer therapies.

For the next phase, he said the department intends to assess the pricing structures of medicines to ensure fairness and transparency in their cost management practices.

‘This initiative is anticipated to reduce consumers’ expenses by 32.4 billion baht and ease overcrowding in public hospitals,’ said Mr Wittayakorn.

Paiboon Eksaengsri, president of the Private Hospital Association, said the collaboration would empower patients to buy medicines with a doctor’s prescription from a pharmacy of their choice.

Outpatients at private hospitals frequently complain about excessive markups, often ranging from 50% to 100% over what outside pharmacies charge. Many hospitals do not carry generic drug alternatives, though doctors will offer advice if asked.

Mr Paiboon said the high prices of medicines are influenced by various factors. For private hospitals, this includes their investments in land, medical equipment, management and marketing expenses, as they lack government subsidies.

Private hospitals typically operate with an average profit margin of 10%, he said.

He expressed concern about quality control for people buying medicines outside of hospitals, pushing for stringent oversight of pharmacies to prevent the distribution of substandard or counterfeit medications.

New Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Chaichanok Chidchob is to address the alleged monopolisation of the online delivery business by some foreign e-commerce platforms, with the aim of benefiting consumers.

The ministry also plans to push for a lower growth profit margin (GP) rate among the platforms involved in this sector.

Some e-commerce platforms have already expressed their intention to participate in talks on the GP issue, according to Mr Chaichanok.

He added that the target is part of the ministry’s quick-win policy to solve problems and drive economic growth through closer collaboration among public and private sectors.

Mr Chaichanok said the amended Postal Act, which is in the draft stage at present, is in the process of being implemented with the goal of raising the standard of postal and parcel services to keep up with the digital era, as well as support rapidly changing market competition.

The enforcement of the amended version of the law is expected to boost healthy competition and create proper regulatory supervision.

Mr Chaichanok said he would closely monitor the bill’s development in order to help finalise the details.

He also on Monday outlined the ministry’s urgent missions and policies to address four ongoing problems and potential threats via public-private partnership and through the use of a transparent and accountable approach.

They are: natural and environmental disasters, security threats, economic problems, and social threats.

When it comes to natural disasters, state agencies are requested to integrate the use of meteorological data and related technologies with those of other state agencies and private agencies, both in Thailand and overseas, to design plans for natural disaster responses that are more accurate and precise.

This includes using meteorological and satellite data to plan accurate disaster warnings.

Furthermore, the ministry aims to promote communications to provide disaster warnings to the public at all levels.

In term of security threats, it is to expedite the promotion of digital literacy to the public.

“We should prioritise raising awareness of cybercrime, and integrate with other state agencies to fully utilise the technology and data available within the ministry,” Mr Chaichanok added.

He said that the ministry will urge agencies to develop guidelines for the use of technology to enhance security along the Thai-Cambodian border and reduce tension, and prevent loss of life and property among soldiers and civilians. It will also join with the private sector to support relevant technology to the areas, such as drones.

In terms of economic threats due to the global economic situation which may have unpredictable and quantifiable economic impacts on Thailand, he said that the ministry’s agencies must take the lead in promoting and supporting digital entrepreneurs.

The ministry is ready to support the solutions to address the monopolistic power of major digital platforms. This would be achieved by its collaboration with relevant agencies to consider the establishment of regulatory measures ensuring fair competition and creating a balance between platform operators and the public as well as prioritising safety standards.

With regard to the social threats, this would involve supporting equal access to basic technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), data, and AI literacy.

The ministry will also upgrade the measures concerning the suppression of call centres and online scams, aiming to reduce losses to individuals and the economic system.

Pattaya Night-Business Entrepreneurs Association has petitioned the Senate to review the new Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, citing the law’s harmful impact on tourism and local livelihoods.

The petition was submitted by the association’s chairwoman, Lisa Hamilton, to parliament on Monday. It was received by the spokesman of the Senate Affairs Committee, Pisit Apiwattanapong, and Senator Prathum Wongsawat.

The petition focuses on Section 32 of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, which prohibits the sale of alcohol by unlicensed vendors. Under the new rule, tourists who drink alcohol on the beach risk being fined or arrested. Ms Lisa said the rule risks damaging Thailand’s image as a tourist destination, especially ahead of the high season.

According to Ms Lisa, the act opens opportunities for corrupt officials to demand bribes from businesses or tourists caught drinking in prohibited areas.

“We urge the government to reconsider before [the rule] ruins the country’s reputation,” she said.

The Chinese transport authorities are preparing for a major travel rush as millions take to the roads and railways at the end of the national “golden week” holiday.

The annual holiday, which ends on Wednesday, is one of the busiest times of the year for travel.

On Monday, the Ministry of Public Security noted that a significant increase in return traffic flow was expected on Tuesday, especially in four megacity clusters: Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, the Yangtze River Delta, the Pearl River Delta, and the Chengdu-Chongqing region.

There were no major traffic accidents or reports of large-scale traffic congestion as of Monday night, it added.

The Transport Ministry said it had been coordinating its efforts with local authorities to ensure smooth and safe travel, and ensure there were no major incidents.

It also urged areas that had been affected by extreme weather in recent days to monitor conditions and implement pre-emptive measures to avoid accidents.

The ministry said it had “called on all departments to ensure the safety and efficiency of transport during the holiday season, proactively address major risks and continue responding to the aftermath of [Typhoon Matmo]”.

Matmo made landfall in Guangdong province on Sunday, bringing strong winds and heavy rain to large swathes of southern China, as well as shutting down rail and air services in the region.

Hundreds of millions of Chinese are currently travelling across the country during the eight-day national holiday, which combines both China’s National Day on Oct 1 and Monday’s Mid-Autumn Festival.

According to the ministry’s latest figures, more than 291 million domestic trips were made on Sunday – slightly down on the first four days of the holiday, which all saw more than 300 million journeys.

The ministry had previously said it expected to see about 2.36 billion passenger trips nationwide during the eight-day holiday, 80% of which would be made by private vehicles.

It also forecast the highest ever number of domestic and international flights over the period with 19.2 million passenger trips, a 3.6% year-on-year increase.

Local authorities across the country have announced a range of measures to cope with the travel rush.

In the northern city of Tianjin, the authorities are intensifying patrols and inspections on roads, railways and rivers, and have set up 22 temporary charging facilities and 1,100 emergency restrooms at highway service areas.

Meanwhile, the central provinces of Anhui and Hunan both said they were targeting congestion-prone areas.

Anhui said it would pay close attention to any changes in the weather and had plans in place to introduce road closures and diversions, suspend services or evacuate people if necessary.

Meanwhile, Hunan said it had laid on extra bus services, including links to transport hubs.

In coastal areas, operations are gradually resuming after the disruption caused by Typhoon Matmo, which made its second landfall in Guangxi region on Monday and also brought heavy rainfall to Yunnan and Guizhou.

Yunnan also stepped up safety checks for passenger and tourist boats in the wake of the typhoon and issued a series of weather risk alerts.

Meanwhile, in the eastern province of Shandong, the authorities stepped up nighttime patrols on busy waterways to avoid collisions between commercial and fishing vessels.

The most serious incidents recorded during the holiday so far have been the blizzard that stranded hundreds of hikers at high altitude over the weekend, killing at least one person in Qinghai province, and a fatal accident at a disused mine.

In Tibet 350 people have been guided to safety following the sudden snowstorm, while rescuers said they were in contact with a further 200 people, all of whom were expected to be safely returned, official media reported on Monday.

Meanwhile, five people who entered a disused mine in Youxi county in the southwestern province of Fujian were confirmed dead on Sunday.

The People’s Movement for a Just Society (P-Move) on Monday submitted a petition to the government, urging swift action to resolve long-standing land-use disputes and accelerate the communal land deed policy.

The demonstration, held to mark World Habitat Day, aimed to highlight the struggles of communities facing insecure land tenure and inadequate housing.

Led by Jamnong Nuphan, P-Move members marched through Bangkok, stopping at key government offices to submit petitions calling for urgent intervention.

At Government House, the group handed their petition to Deputy Prime Minister Sophon Zarum and Government Spokesman Siripong Angsakulkiat.

Mr Sophon later met the demonstrators, pledging to push for immediate measures even though the current administration has only four months left in its term.

“While a full legislative amendment may not be possible within four months, we will propose laws that provide immediate solutions,” Mr Sophon said.

“Addressing outdated regulations that fail to protect people’s welfare remains a key mission of this government.”

He added that the Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul administration is committed to addressing public concerns and that P-Move’s proposals would be considered in an upcoming cabinet meeting.

“The government recognises the hardships caused by land deed issues and will prioritise this matter,” he said.

Following their stop at Government House, P-Move representatives visited Bangkok City Hall to submit a similar petition to Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, urging city authorities to address land disputes affecting low-income urban residents.

Governor Chadchart, a supporter of community-based urban planning, was urged to create a more inclusive framework that ensures fair access to land and housing for the city’s vulnerable residents facing eviction threats and informal settlements.

The final stop was the United Nations Thailand Office, where the group held an exhibition on communal land deeds and a small marketplace featuring agricultural products.

P-Move also issued a statement, affirming the right to self-determination through community land titles,.

The network is pushing for community-led resource management and a Progressive Land Tax, a Land Bank, and Community Land Titles to protect communities from land loss and ensure equitable, identity-based land use.

A tragic shooting happened in Ayutthaya province when a man armed with a gun broke into his ex-wife’s home. There was a gunfight with his former father-in-law, ending in the older man’s death.

Security camera footage captured the incident. The former son-in-law fired a single shot before his gun jammed. The father-in-law returned fire. The assailant then rushed forward, grabbed a pair of scissors, and stabbed the older man in the neck, killing him instantly.

Police found the injured suspect, around 30 years old, outside the house with gunshot wounds to the chin and body. Inside the house, officers discovered the body of the ex-wife’s father lying face-down in a pool of blood, with gunshot and stab wounds to his chest and neck.

According to the victim’s daughter, she was at home with her father and child when her ex-husband arrived, shouting from outside. She refused to open the gate, due to a history of domestic violence. The man then climbed over the fence, forced his way inside, and the deadly confrontation ensued.

She added that she had previously fled to Roi Et province to escape the abuse, but her ex-husband tracked her down, forcing her to return to her father’s home. Despite filing police reports in the past, she said he continued to threaten her.

Police said the suspect is the son of a deputy mayor of a local municipality in Ayutthaya, but stressed that this will not affect the investigation.

The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) has warned of continued rainfall until Oct 15, although the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) has expressed confidence that there is no risk of flooding reaching 2011 levels.

The TMD on Monday warned of widespread heavy rainfall across the country from Oct 6 to 15, with particular concern for flood-prone areas.

According to the warning, the weakened Typhoon Matmo is expected to affect Vietnam, Laos, and northern and upper northeastern provinces of Thailand.

Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon is intensifying over the Andaman coast and the eastern region, affecting provinces such as Ranong, Phangnga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang, Chanthaburi and Trat. Accumulated rain could lead to flash floods and overflowing rivers.

Between Oct 9-15, the monsoon trough is forecast to shift southward, spreading rain over the lower parts of the country, especially Bangkok and surrounding provinces, where thunderstorms are expected in 60-70% of the area from Wednesday to Sunday.

The TMD stated that Thailand will transition to winter after Oct 12, with less rainfall in the North and Northeast and wind directions shifting eastwards and northeastwards, a sign that a cold air mass is approaching.

According to ONWR secretary-general Danucha Pichayanan, although rainfall has increased in the north, overall water levels remain manageable, with major dams like Bhumibol Dam and Sirikit Dam likely to increase water releases to maintain balance and prevent downstream overflow.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Monday emphasised, after chairing the meeting of the Committee for Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, that the government places the well-being and livelihoods of the people as its top priority.

“I urge provincial governors to work closely with central authorities to ensure assistance reaches affected residents as quickly as possible,” Mr Anutin said.

Deputy PM Sophon Zarum echoed Mr Danucha’s stance, reassuring the public that water management measures are under control and that this year’s floods will not be as disastrous as those in 2011, though constant monitoring and adjustments are ongoing.

A selection of artworks created over the past 20 years by prominent Thai artist Natee Utarit are showcased during ’20+20′, which is staged across three locations of Richard Koh Fine Art (RKFA) in Bangkok, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur until Oct 25.

The exhibition aims to celebrate 20 years of the gallery’s journey and reflect its ongoing commitment to fostering long-term collaborations with artists, among which its two-decade relationship with Natee, one of Southeast Asia’s most significant contemporary painters, has been particularly meaningful.

Since its establishment in 2005, RKFA has remained dedicated to championing contemporary art from Southeast Asia and beyond.

The gallery has so far presented over 700 shows, including art fairs, international collaborations and gallery exhibitions worldwide.

These milestones underscore the breadth of the gallery’s activities and its sustained commitment to building cross-cultural dialogues. Over the years, the gallery has worked alongside a diverse roster of artists whose practices carry both artistic depth and cultural resonance.

Natee has been one of the gallery’s earliest and most consistent collaborators. His practice, known for interrogating classical Western painting traditions while engaging with the cultural, philosophical and sociopolitical realities of Southeast Asia, has made a vital contribution to critical conversations in the region.

The exhibition brings together a selection of works – drawn from past and recent series – that have passed through the gallery’s hands over the last two decades. Together, they offer a reflection on the evolution of Natee’s practice, the scope of his concerns and the enduring dialogue between the artist, the gallery and its collectors.

Through this gathering, viewers are invited to encounter his sustained exploration of history, religion, morality and humanism – themes that continue to resonate deeply today.

Richard Koh Fine Art Bangkok is located on the 9th floor of Peterson Building, Sukhumvit Road, and opens Tuesday to Saturday from 11am to 7pm.

Parliament is set to debate charter amendments on Oct 14-15, with the opposition pushing for first-reading approval.

Nan Boonthida Somchai, Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) MP for Ubon Ratchathani and secretary to the government whips, said the parliamentary whips will meet this week to allocate debate time for each side ahead of an extensive debate on the content of the bill.

“We will discuss how many hours each group — the government, opposition and Senate — will receive for deliberation,” she said.

Asked whether the House leadership has coordinated with senators to support the first reading of the amendment bills, Ms Nan said such coordination was not possible, stressing that the vote is a matter of individual parliamentary privilege.

“We can only inform them of the upcoming agenda. Each MP and senator will decide independently whether to accept any of the bills in principle,” she said.

She added that MPs are still carefully reviewing the content of the proposed bills with regard to the Constitutional Court’s previous rulings on the amendment process. “We are examining the text literally word for word to understand the potential implications,” she said.

As for BJT’s position, the party will hold an internal meeting on Tuesday to determine its stance ahead of the debate, Ms Nan, who also serves as party spokesperson, confirmed.

Meanwhile, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the main opposition People’s Party (PP), urged all MPs and senators to vote in favour of the bill following the first reading, after which parliament could spend the next two to three months discussing the details in the second and third readings of the draft.

“The process of drafting a new constitution belongs to all parliamentarians, both MPs and senators. Everyone should at least approve the principle in the first stage,” he said.

The PP has also proposed a new charter drafting process that includes a national consultative assembly with citizen representatives from across the country to ensure inclusivity and transparency.

“This must be a safe space for open discussion — on sensitive issues and everyday problems alike,” Mr Natthaphong said, adding that persuading the public of the need for a new constitution is essential for Thailand’s future democracy.

Tropical Storm Matmo has weakened into a low-pressure area in upper Vietnam and will bring heavy rains to the North, the Northeast and the East of Thailand on Tuesday, according to the Meteorological Department.

Sugunyanee Yavinchan, director-general of the department, said on Tuesday morning that Tropical Storm Matmo became an active low-pressure cell in the upper part of Vietnam at 1am on Tuesday.

The low-pressure system has strengthened the southwestern monsoon over the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand and will cause isolated heavy rains in the North, the Northeast and the East of Thailand, she said.

Ms Sugunyanee warned people in the regions of possible flash floods, run-off and overflowing waterways.

She said the warning was the 15th and final one concerning Storm Matmo.