Category: The Bangkok Post

His Majesty the King has donated 42 million baht to repair Phanom Dong Rak Hospital, which was damaged by rockets fired from Cambodia during border clashes back in July.

The hospital in Surin sustained severe damage during the skirmishes. The royal contribution will fund the repair of two key facilities: 12 million baht for the Bhumipat Building and 30 million baht for medical staff housing.

On Monday, Privy Councillor Dr Kasem Wattanachai, acting on behalf of His Majesty, formally presented the donation at Phanom Dong Rak district.

In addition, 800 royal relief packages from Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn were distributed to affected residents and hospital personnel to boost morale and provide essential support.

Typhoon Matmo has weakened into a severe tropical storm and will cause heavy rains in the North, the Northeast and the East of Thailand on Monday and Tuesday, according to the Meteorological Department.

Sugunyanee Yavinchan, director-general of the department, said Typhoon Matmo made landfall in Guangxi, China, and weakened into a severe tropical storm at 1am on Monday.

She expected the storm to lose its power quickly due to cold air over China on Monday and Tuesday. The storm would not enter Thailand, she said.

However, the storm would strengthen the southwestern monsoon over the Andaman Sea, Thailand and the Gulf of Thailand and thus cause isolated heavy rains in the North, the Northeast and the East of Thailand on Monday and Tuesday.

Typhoon Matmo has intensified over the upper South China Sea and made landfall in China’s Guangdong province on Sunday, according to the Thai Meteorological Department.

While the storm will not enter Thailand, it is strengthening the southwest monsoon, bringing heavier rain and flash flood risks to northern, northeastern, eastern and southern regions through Oct 7. At 4am Thai time on Sunday, the typhoon had maximum winds near the centre of about 120 kilometres per hour and was moving west-northwest at a speed of around 25km/h.

After Matmo made landfall, it has weakened rapidly as a high-pressure system from China pushes southward between Oct 6 and 7, the department said.

However, Matmo will strengthen the southwest monsoon over Thailand’s Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, bringing more rain across the North and the Northeast, with heavy rainfall in some areas of the East and the western coast of the South until Oct 7.

Residents in at-risk areas are advised to be on alert for flash floods, runoff and overflowing rivers due to heavy and accumulated rainfall.

In the upper Andaman Sea, waves are expected to reach 1-2 metres in height and exceed 2 metres in areas with thunderstorms.

Newly crowned world champion Marc Marquez and polesitter Marco Bezzecchi crashed out at high speed after colliding in the opening lap as Spanish rookie Fermin Aldeguer won a chaotic Indonesian MotoGP yesterday.

Spanish great Marquez “suffered an injury to his right collarbone” and will fly to Madrid for medical tests, his Ducati team tweeted, with fears he may have a fracture.

Ducati-Gresini rider Aldeguer pulled away and cruised to a maiden victory after Bezzecchi ran into the back of Marquez, sending both flying off their bikes.

Aldeguer finished more than six seconds ahead of KTM’s Pedro Acosta in second and nearly eight seconds in front of teammate Alex Marquez in third.

“I don’t believe it. I am super happy. To be a rookie, we are doing incredible work. We have to continue like this,” said Aldeguer, 20, who secured his first MotoGP win.

Bezzecchi dominated in qualifying on Saturday with a lap record at the Mandalika track, but the Italian had a disastrous start yesterday in humid conditions on Lombok island.

After slipping from pole to seventh behind Marquez, he tried to overtake the seven-time world champion but slammed into the back of him.

It sent the pair sliding into the gravel. Both walked away from the collision with Marquez — who has a history of bad injuries — clutching his right shoulder.

Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi said there was evidence of a fracture on Marquez’s right shoulder.

Marquez was crowned MotoGP champion last week at Japan’s Motegi and had already set a single-season points record for a MotoGP rider of 545 before yesterday’s race.

His points total was boosted by a sixth-place finish in the sprint because Luca Marini was hit with a post-race tyre pressure penalty.

Despite Aldeguer storming to victory there was a dramatic battle for the podium places between half a dozen riders.

Alex Rins’ Yamaha began to falter and he fell out of podium contention as Alex Marquez rose to take third and increase his grip on second place in the overall standings behind his brother.

Brad Binder finished fourth, followed by Marini, Raul Fernandez and Fabio Quartararo.

Marc Marquez’s Ducati teammate Francesco Bagnaia, who started a lowly 16th on the grid, crashed out when he was last on the track in what was a dismal weekend for the two-time world champion.

Joan Mir and Enea Bastianini also crashed out.

Only 19 riders made it to the race’s start line yesterday, with Maverick Vinales withdrawing with an ongoing shoulder injury.

Honda-LCR’s Somkiat Chantra finished in 13th place. The Thai rider, who will switch to the FIM Superbike World Championship next season, now has six points with four races remaining.

India thumped arch-rivals Pakistan by 88 runs in a Women’s World Cup clash but the game was marred by controversy as players refused to shake hands at Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium on Sunday.

The two captains avoided the customary handshake at the toss and there was hardly a glance exchanged during play.

Once the formalities were done, both sides made a beeline to their dressing rooms, skipping the traditional post-match greetings, a frosty ending to a heated encounter.

The animosity that brewed during the recent men’s Asia Cup in Dubai seemed to spill over to the women’s fixture in Colombo.

Even before a ball was bowled, controversy struck when the toss went the wrong way.

Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana’s call of “tails” was misheard by match referee Shandre Fritz and announcer Mel Jones as “heads”.

When the coin landed heads up, the decision was incorrectly awarded to Fatima, who chose to field.

The drama didn’t stop there. Pakistan’s Muneeba Ali was caught short in bizarre fashion.

After surviving a leg-before appeal, she wandered out of her crease and though she had grounded her bat when the throw came in, it was in the air when the bails were dislodged.

The television umpire ruled her out amid heated protests from the Pakistan camp.

“We are very happy. This was a very important game for us. I am sure people back home are happy too. There are few areas to improve but, for now, we’ll savour this win,” said Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur.

India’s innings was built on a series of useful starts, with Harleen Deol’s composed 46 off 65 balls anchoring the effort.

Wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh provided the late fireworks, blazing an unbeaten 35 off 20 deliveries with three fours and two towering sixes to lift India to a competitive 247.

Pakistan seamer Diana Baig bowled with heart, claiming 4-47 in a spirited spell.

Three of those wickets came in her final burst, though she was denied a five-for after overstepping when Jemimah Rodrigues was caught behind on two.

Pakistan’s chase never got out of first gear. The Indian new-ball attack swung the ball late, nipping out early wickets before the spinners tightened the screws.

Off-spinners Deepti Sharma and Sneh Rana shared five scalps between them while seamer Kranti Goud’s three-wicket burst earned her the player of the match award.

Sidra Amin, batting at number three, stood tall amid the ruins. Her elegant 81 off 106 balls, laced with nine boundaries and a six, was a lone hand in an otherwise sorry tale.

Running out of partners, she perished sweeping Rana to square leg, ending Pakistan’s faint hopes.

“We gave away too many runs in the Power Play. Sidra was superb again, but someone had to stay with her till the end. Very disappointed with the result,” lamented Pakistan skipper Sana.

The win sent India to the top of the table in the eight-nation tournament while Pakistan languish in sixth, still searching for their first points.

Justice Minister Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon Naowarat has reaffirmed the stance of his predecessor, Pol Col Tawee Sodsong, who supported the Department of Corrections’ recommendation to reject the royal pardon appeal submitted on behalf of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The decision means Thaksin will be required to remain in prison to serve out a one-year prison sentence in accordance with the Supreme Court’s final ruling, a source said.

The reports came as Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon stated on Monday that he had already submitted his opinion on Thaksin’s second petition for royal pardon to the Cabinet Secretariat.

Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon said that he had instructed the permanent secretary for justice to form a committee to review Thaksin’s request and finish its work in three days.

He stated that he received the findings from the review committee on Monday and had added advisory remarks before referring the matter to the Cabinet Secretariat for further action.

According to the justice minister, when a convict seeks a royal pardon, the matter must be referred to His Majesty through the proper channels, as outlined in Section 259 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

New innovation marks a major step toward reducing Thailand’s healthcare burden as 80% of cardiovascular diseases are preventable.1,2

Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE: EW), the global leader in structural heart disease innovation, today announced the launch of its breakthrough next-generation transcatheter heart valve technology at the prestigious Mahidol TAVI Symposium, held on 26-27 September, at Pullman Bangkok King Power. This launch aims to help alleviate Thailand’s escalating valvular heart disease burden-a key driver of cardiovascular deaths globally.

The launch arrives at a pivotal moment, as statistics from Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health (2023)2 reveal that over 250,000 Thai citizens are currently living with cardiovascular disease. Of particular concern is aortic valve disease, which accounts for approximately 40,000 deaths annually2 and disproportionately affects Thailand’s aging population-especially those aged 65 and older2. In this population, progressive calcification of the aortic valve leads to thickening, stiffening, and impaired valve function. Aortic stenosis-the most common form of valvular heart disease-is a degenerative condition strongly associated with aging. As the valve becomes increasingly calcified, blood flow from the heart is significantly restricted. Once symptoms appear, the prognosis worsens rapidly: without timely treatment, approximately 10% of patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis may die within five weeks3. This alarming statistic highlights the critical importance of early detection and prompt intervention.

Edwards’ next-generation balloon-expandable transcatheter heart valve incorporates breakthrough proprietary calcification-resistant tissue technology that helps prevent calcium buildup on the valve leaflets, which is a primary cause of structural valve deterioration and the need for re-intervention4. The valve also features dry tissue storage for simplified hospital workflows, and an enhanced outer sealing design to improve long term durability.

Outstanding Clinical Outcomes

The tissue technology incorporated into this platform is the same as that used in Edwards’ leading surgical aortic valve. Recent findings from the eight-year COMMENCE Study demonstrated promising outcomes, including 99.3% freedom from structural valve deterioration, clinically stable haemodynamic gradients, and 97% freedom from reoperation5.

Building on this foundation, Edwards Lifesciences’ next-generation transcatheter heart valve technology has demonstrated exceptional clinical outcomes across diverse patient populations. Real-world data from over 9,000 propensity-matched patients in the United States National STS/ACC TVT Registry showed that patients receiving the valve experienced outstanding one-year outcomes with low mortality rate, low re-intervention rate, and no paravalvular leak in 84.4% of cases6.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nattawut Wongpraparut, Director of the Cardiac Catheterisation Laboratory at The Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, highlighted its clinical advantages for Thai healthcare providers. ‘Durability is widely recognised as a critical element in valve therapy, and this technology’s innovative design aims to address calcification-a major contributor to valve failure-with greater effectiveness. Thai patients and the Thai healthcare system will benefit from bringing these world-class treatment capabilities to Thailand further supporting our efforts to reduce the devastating impact of aortic stenosis which can lead to heart failure, sudden cardiac arrest and death.’

Dr. Mann Chandavimol, Structural Heart Intervention at The Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, emphasised the significance of this technology for Thai patients. ‘The launch of this next-generation transcatheter heart valve represents a transformative advancement for Thailand’s cardiovascular care landscape. Given the alarming global statistics showing cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of death worldwide and affecting over 250,000 Thais, this technology offers hope for patients experiencing symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, fainting, chest pain, ankle swelling, and irregular heartbeat. The enhanced durability and proven clinical outcomes enable us to treat not only elderly patients but also younger individuals with severe aortic stenosis, providing them with treatment options that combine immediate safety with exceptional long-term performance. Early detection is crucial, and this technology represents a significant advancement in our treatment capabilities.’

Scott Graham, THV Business Unit Head, APAC at Edwards Lifesciences, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to innovation and improving patient outcomes. ‘This latest generation of transcatheter heart valve is the result of nearly two decades of research and development and reflects Edwards’ continued dedication to delivering patient-centric solutions. Recent data underscores its value in the lifetime management of valve disease for patients. This latest transcatheter heart valve leverages this advancement to improve quality of life, support sustainable long-term outcomes, and enable future treatment possibilities.’

Parameswaran Nair, Country Leader of Greater India and Southeast Asia at Edwards Lifesciences, connected the launch to Thailand’s broader healthcare objectives. ‘Thailand’s proactive stance on cardiovascular disease, including recent public health alerts on aortic stenosis, reflects its strong commitment to saving lives amid a global crisis. We’re proud to support these efforts by introducing this advanced platform to Thai patients and clinicians. With over 65 years of innovation, Edwards Lifesciences remains dedicated to transforming patient outcomes. This launch strengthens our support for Thailand’s healthcare excellence and ensures access to leading cardiac therapies as the population ages.’

As Thailand continues to address its cardiovascular disease burden through both prevention and treatment strategies, Edwards Lifesciences remains committed to collaborating with leading clinicians and healthcare institutions to expand access to life-saving therapies. The company’s focus on innovation, clinical evidence, and partnership with healthcare professionals ensures Thai patients can live longer, healthier, and more active lives while supporting the government’s goal of reducing cardiovascular deaths through advanced treatment options in the face of a global epidemic claiming over 19 million lives annually7.

Flooding struck 16 provinces on Sunday, mostly in the Central Plain hit by deluges of water from the Chao Phraya River, and the highest number of affected households was in Ayutthaya province.

However, the present flow in the Chao Phraya River was not affecting Bangkok, according to its governor.

The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported that flood levels were either stable or lower in six northern provinces – Nakhon Sawan, Phetchabun, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai and Uttaradit.

Meanwhile, the Chao Phraya River basin in the Central Plain was receiving deluges of water from the upper section of the Chao Phraya River. The river basin is low-lying and the local section of the Chao Phraya River is a bottleneck, the DDPM said.

Floods struck parts of eight provinces in the Central Plain, namely Uthai Thani, Chai Nat, Sing Buri, Ang Thong, Suphan Buri, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani and Nakhon Pathom.

Floodwater receded in Uthai Thani and Sing Buri and remained unchanged in Chai Nat and Suphan Buri.

Flood levels were rising in Ang Thong, Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani and Nakhon Pathom. The highest number of affected households nationwide was 43,458 in 11 districts of Ayutthaya.

The DDPM warned people in Muang and Sam Khok districts of Pathum Thani that the levels of the Chao Phraya River were increasing there.

In the Northeast, only Ban Khawao district of Chaiyaphum province suffered flooding and its level was rising.

In the East, people in Bang Nam Prieo district of Chachoengsao province saw declining flood levels.

The DDPM said 102,051 households were affected in the 16 flooded provinces and the dealth tolls in the provinces reached 12 as of Sunday.

Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt said on Sunday that the Chao Phraya barrage across the Chao Phraya River in Chai Nat province was discharging water at the rate of 2,500 cubic metres per second.

The rate remained safe for the capital as the safety threshold was at 3,500 cubic metres per second.

The demolition of the new Samsen police station began at the sinkhole site on Samsen Road on Saturday night, according to Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt.

The governor said at the site Sunday morning that robots were used to first remove windows and facades of the newly built police station, which was subsiding. Vehicles were moved out of the station.

Officials at the site told him that the four-storey police station had shifted and cracks were heard on Saturday night. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration reported on its Facebook page that soil under the station slid as it rained and the station then subsided.

However, adjacent police flat buildings and commercial buildings remained stable, Mr Chadchart said.

In the meantime, the Bangkok governor said, sand was being dumped to fill the sinkhole.

Workers had already dumped 3,800 cubic metres of sand into the sinkhole as of Saturday night and 1,200 cubic metres more of sand would be added on Sunday morning, he said. He did not see a new crack in the sinkhole on Sunday morning.

The governor also said that adjacent Vajira Hospital was operating as usual on Sunday.

The sinkhole formed with original dimensions of 30 metres wide, 30m long and 20m deep on the morning of Sept 24 above an underground station under construction for the Purple Line extension route of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority. The state enterprise blamed the subsidence on soft soil in the surrounding area.

Officials decided to demolish the police station and thus the reopening of Samsen Road in Dusit district of Bangkok was postponed indefinitely.

The Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry has ordered nationwide scrutiny of iris-scanning crypto schemes over privacy concerns.

DES Minister Chaichanok Chidchob has asked the Personal Data Protection Committee (PDPC) to conduct strict inspections nationwide following growing concerns over iris-scanning activities.

The PDPC recently issued a public warning about the biometric risks involved in exchanging iris scans for cryptocurrency, adding iris data is classified as sensitive personal information under the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA).

Mr Chaichanok said such activities may compromise individual privacy and lead to misuse of biometric data.

The ministry was working closely with Tools for Humanity (TFH) and state agencies to ensure compliance and transparency.

The joint review focuses on three key areas: First, data retention and destruction so companies must prove that iris data is deleted immediately after its intended use.

Second, with control over paid scanning services, citizens are urged to exercise caution. The ministry is investigating the origins of funding and data handling.

Third, there must be transparency over how data will be used, encrypted, and protected, and genuine user consent.