Category: The Bangkok Post

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Thursday assured the House of Representatives that the probe into a collapsed road near Vajira Hospital in Bangkok’s Dusit district would be conducted both independently and transparently.

He said he has no business ties to Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction (STECON), founded by his father, which is part of the joint venture contracted to build the Purple Line near the treacherous sinkhole.

People’s Party (PP) MP for Bangkok, Paramet Worawitthayaraksan, pressed Mr Anutin to speak clearly about how the government would take action against the contractors over the incident and whether it would seek compensation for work delays.

“Will they be prosecuted, told to pay compensation or blacklisted? Will they be fined for delays in the project delivery?” Mr Paramet asked.

Mr Anutin said he sold his shares in the company through the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 2019 in full compliance with all legal requirements for political office holders when he became aware the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) could secure a significant share of House seats.

The prime minister said he has no involvement with the company and has never used his influence for its benefit.

It was Mr Anutin’s first response to a fresh interpellation since he assumed office.

Founded by Chavarat Charnvirakul, Mr Anutin’s father, STECON was listed on the stock market in 1993 with a registered capital of 300 million baht.

On the probe into the collapsed road, he said the Ministry of Transport will be looking into the incident with the help of a committee comprising specialists and representatives from the Public Works Department and City Hall.

The investigation would be based on engineering evidence, he said, noting that if negligence or recklessness are proven, contractors would be held accountable.

He said the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) is working on repairs, and traffic is expected to resume on Oct 9, 2025.

A predawn storm on Friday brought heavy rain and strong winds to Greater Bangkok, toppling trees, damaging vehicles and flooding key roads.

Traffic radio broadcasters said strong winds and heavy rain toppled trees in Bang Kapi, Bang Sue, Huai Khwang and Din Daeng districts of Bangkok, as well as parts of Nonthaburi. Several vehicles were damaged, according to Traffic Police and Jor Sor 100 radio.

Flooding was also reported on Rama 9 and Bang Na-Trat roads.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration said Chatuchak district appeared hardest hit but a full damage assessment was still pending.

The Meteorological Department reported heavy rain at Suvarnabhumi airport in the 24 hours to 7am Friday. City Hall later recorded light rain at 8.45am in districts west of the Chao Phraya River, including Phasi Charoen, Chom Thong and Thon Buri.

The department warned more rain was moving in from Saraburi and Prachin Buri and was expected to reach Nong Chok before noon. Widespread showers are forecast across Greater Bangkok through the weekend.

The country’s critical information infrastructure agencies and regulatory agencies improved their cybersecurity scores this year, while government agencies recorded lower scores.

For critical information infrastructure agencies, their average score increased to 89% in 2025, up from 83% last year, while regulatory agencies posted a score of 91%, rising from 85% in 2024, according to Thailand’s cyberthreat risk assessment conducted by the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA).

The average for government agencies dropped to 59%, from 65%.

This year 298 agencies, representing most state departments, participated in the self-assessment programme, of which 191 agencies submitted assessment results.

AVM Jadet Khuhakonkit, assistant to the NCSA secretary-general, said the agency is accelerating the elevation of cybersecurity threat protection standards to ensure Thailand is a stable and trustworthy nation.

AVM Jadet attributed the decline for government agencies to the increase in participation among agencies from various sectors this year.

This dip means there are significant cybersecurity gaps that need to be addressed, he said, especially in the areas of risk and vulnerability management, and cyberthreat response plan development and testing.

Other areas requiring attention include business continuity and crisis communications plan development, oversight of outsourced service providers, information asset registry development, threats detected, and risk trends.

NCSA and Mahidol University also identified the top three threats in Thailand: exploitation of internal vulnerabilities, unauthorised access to systems or data, and disruption or denial of service.

Threats are increasing from ransomware, supply chain attacks, cloud misconfiguration and phishing, demonstrating the need for Thai agencies to urgently address vulnerabilities and strengthen preventative and proactive measures, said AVM Jadet.

He said one approach to strengthen cybersecurity would be to invest in the existing National Threat Intelligence Platform, a national cyberthreat intelligence centre.

The platform started operations last year and collects, analyses, and shares data from all sectors with related agencies, in accordance with international standards.

“The platform enables critical infrastructure organisations and government agencies to respond to threats quickly and accurately,” said AVM Jadet.

The platform is operated by the Thailand Computer Emergency Response Team under NCSA’s umbrella.

More than 30,000 HIV self-test kits have been distributed nationwide under a free online service, revealing infection rates nearly three times higher than the national average, says the Stand by You project.

Since 2022, the project has provided free counselling, risk assessments, HIV self-test kits, and education on HIV and other sexually transmitted infections through its Line account. In 2025, it was also integrated into the Universal Healthcare Scheme. To date, over 500,000 people have accessed the Stand by You account, with 160,000 using its services.

More than 30,000 received counselling and testing kits, with two-thirds under 30 years of age. Among them, 2.8% tested positive, three times higher than the national average.

Dr Kulkanya Chokephaibulkit, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, and founder of the project, said early detection saves lives and reduces transmission.Studies show that untreated individuals can pass HIV to three to six others, she said, noting that distributing 100 self-test kits could prevent around 10 new infections.

Thailand has 9,000 new HIV cases each year, but the National Aids Strategy (2017-2030) aims to reduce this to 1,000 annually. To achieve this, at least 100,000 test kits must be distributed each year. Failure to act could mean 8,000 new cases annually, or 400,000 over 50 years, adding more than 20 billion baht in treatment costs each year, she said.

“Early detection and treatment are crucial, not only to prevent new infections but also to improve quality of life and reduce the long-term economic burden,” she said.

The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) on Wednesday announced a 23-strong national squad for the War Elephants’ home-and-away 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifying games this month.

Thailand, placed in Group D of qualifying tournament for Saudi Arabia 2027, are scheduled to take on Taiwan on Oct 9 at Bangkok’s Rajamangala National Stadium before playing an away game against the same opponents on Oct 14 at Taipei Municipal Stadium.

Thailand are currently in second place in the group table with three points from two matches. They started the campaign with a victory over Sri Lanka but went on to lose against Turkmenistan in June.

While Thailand head coach Masatada Ishii has kept faith in Chanathip Songkrasin, Nicholas Mickelson, Supachok Sarachat and Supachai Chaided, he has once again overlooked veterans Theerathon Bunmathan and Teerasil Dangda.

Ishii said: “We have retained the key players in the team in the hope that they will help us post good results in the games against Taiwan. We follow all players and have tried to name the best possible squad.”

SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Patiwat Khammai, Saranon Anuin and Kampon Pathomakkakul

Defenders: Suphanan Bureerat, Nicholas Mickelson, Suphan Thongsong, Nattapong Sairiya, Saringkan Promsupa, Jonathan Khemdee, Apisit Sorada and Sasalak Haiprakhon

Midfielders: Weerathep Pomphan, Phitiwat Sookjithammakul, Chanathip Songkrasin, Worachit Kanitsribumphen, Thitiphan Puangchan, Benjamin Davis, Seksan Ratree, Jaroensak Wonggorn and Supachok Sarachat

Forwards: Supachai Chaided, Teerasak Poeiphimai and Poramet Arjvirai

FIXTURES

Oct 9 – Thailand v Taiwan (Rajamangala National Stadium, 7.30pm)

Oct 14 – Taiwan v Thailand (Taipei Municipal Stadium, 5.30pm)

Advanced Info Service (AIS) expects its revenue from non-mobile and non-fixed broadband business to account for at least 20% of total revenue in three years, up from 10% at present.

The target calls for driving sustainable growth through new S-curve business areas, including digital finance, entertainment and retail services.

AIS is the biggest mobile operator in terms of revenue market share, and its mobile and fixed broadband services contribute almost 90% of its total revenue.

The company plans to utilise artificial intelligence (AI) across the entire organisation to enhance its capabilities and operations as it becomes a “cognitive tech” company, said chief executive Somchai Lertsutiwong.

AIS celebrated its 35th anniversary yesterday, unveiling a bold new chapter as it embraces AI for economic growth and a sustainable society.

“Expanding business from now on will be much more complicated and difficult,” said Mr Somchai.

While telecom industry revenue is projected to grow by 4-5% this year, he said the industry’s operational costs are expected to grow by 10%.

The telecom business’s revenue normally grows by 2% above the country’s annual GDP figure, according to AIS. Thai GDP is expected to expand by 2-3% this year.

However, telecom operators’ total expenses and operating costs have pressured their annual earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation.

For the overall fixed broadband business market, Mr Somchai said pricing and promotional packages would no longer be enough to sustain the business in the long term, but the operators have to provide value-added services through their service bundlings with smart devices and entertainment offers that serve the demands of consumers’ daily lives.

They also have to boost 5G service adoption to lift up revenue.

“Utilising 5G services in the mass market is a critical move for the country, and the market should have many more applications such as a super app for people’s adoption,” Mr Somchai said.

Mr Somchai said AIS has played a pivotal role in laying the foundations of Thailand’s digital infrastructure, becoming a key pillar in driving the nation’s telecom industry to global standards.

He said AIS continues its journey into a new chapter under the concept of AI for a sustainable nation, aiming to connect every sector and drive the Thai economy forward with strength and sustainability.

“AIS is now stepping into a new era with three core business pillars, including retail technology, to elevate the complete customer experience,” said Mr Somchai.

The other two pillars are an entertainment platform represented by content streaming platform AIS PLAY, and an upcoming virtual banking service that has been developed with the company’s partners, he said.

An Asian man fell from a condominium tower in Pattaya, landing on a wall below that tore his body apart, early on Wednesday morning.

The gruesome discovery was reported to police about 12.30am.

The dead man was believed to be an Asian male aged 30 to 40 years and was found wearing a black T-shirt and shorts.

His falling body landed on top of the condo wall, which split it into upper and lower halves and scattered his internal organs across the road.

Police had yet to confirm which floor of which building he fell from, as the condo has three towers.

A witness reported hearing a loud thud, as though an object had landed violently on the ground. On investigating, he found the man’s body in its gruesome condition.

Investigators did find cigarette butts on a 32nd floor rooftop balcony and traces indicating someone may have been sitting on the ledge.

The investigation was ongoing.

The cabinet has extended the 20-baht flat fare rate on the Red and Purple Lines for two more months until Nov 30, government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat said yesterday.

The flat fare introduced in 2023, was initially set to expire on Tuesday. The extension came as part of the new government’s vow to help ease the cost of living.

Transport Ministry officials were assigned to come up with sustainable solutions to keep the fare low without putting a financial burden on the state over the next two months, said Mr Siripong.

Chanin Rungthanakiat, deputy spokesman of the Pheu Thai Party, backed the cabinet’s decision. Pheu Thai initiated the flat-fare policy, said Mr Chanin, adding that the measure helps at least 100,000 commuters with their living costs and makes the extension very suitable now.

He called on the cabinet to extend this policy to cover all electric train lines. Implementing this policy would mean a fix for the transport system of the entire city and would help reduce pollution and PM2.5 dust particles.

He added the project supports city expansion as people are encouraged to live further away from the city centre because they would be no longer limited by commuting costs.

Mr Chanin said the policy is not only focused on urban commuters as it affects various dimensions of development. It should also not be seen as a populist or Pheu Thai policy.

Energy Complex Company Limited (Enco) organised the seminar ‘Thailand’s Real Estate Outlook 2026’ to deliver in-depth insights and expert perspectives on the future of Thailand’s property sector. The program highlighted two key themes: ‘Thailand’s Real Estate Outlook 2026: Challenges and Opportunities’, which examined opportunities and challenges in the real estate market, and ‘Green Living, Smart City: Real Estate as a Pathway to Sustainable Cities’, focusing on strategies for sustainable urban development. The seminar served as a platform to deepen market understanding, encourage knowledge exchange, and strengthen collaboration across the private sector to drive high-quality growth in Thailand’s real estate industry with an emphasis on environmental responsibility and long-term societal well-being.

Mr Sirasak Chandrema, President of Energy Complex Co., Ltd. (EnCo), stated that the company operates under a vision to develop real estate and manage facilities with service excellence, enabling sustainable business growth. EnCo is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing toward the goal of Net Zero Emissions by 2050, in alignment with PTT Group’s policy framework. The company has developed the Energy Complex into a LEED Platinum-certified green building, serving as a hub for the energy sector designed with efficient resource utilisation. EnCo also integrates Smart City concepts and Green Living technologies to enhance operational efficiency, leading to a model of Smart and Green management. Through this approach, the company seeks to deliver long-term value to business, society, and the environment.

Thailand is currently undergoing transformations across multiple dimensions. To ensure that real estate development continues sustainably, supports the creation of Smart City, and advances toward the shared goal of Net Zero Emissions, EnCo has adopted diverse ideas and perspectives from across industries. The Thailand’s Real Estate Outlook 2026 seminar has been held consistently as a platform for integrating concepts of conservation and sustainable urban development. Looking ahead to 2026, EnCo aims to elevate the standards of its mixed-use office buildings by transforming them into Green Buildings, in line with sustainable property management and building improvement principles, while also supporting development in other sectors to achieve these shared goals.

Under the theme ‘Thailand’s Real Estate Outlook 2026: Challenges and Opportunities,’ the seminar featured insights from Mr Issara Boonyoung, Chairman of the Board, Real Estate Business Trade Association under the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Honorary President of the Housing Business Association. He shared his perspectives on business direction, growth opportunities, government stimulus measures, and real estate market trends in 2026, while also discussing investment strategies for both corporate investors and end users. In addition, Mr Chetthawat Songprasert, Senior Analyst at the Economic and Business Research Center, Siam Commercial Bank (SCB EIC), provided an analysis of Thailand’s economic outlook for 2026, addressing key influencing factors such as real estate lending, the slowdown in the property sector and its spillover effects on economic growth, as well as expectations from the private sector and the public regarding government measures to stimulate the economy.

The panel discussion ‘Green Living, Smart City: Real Estate as a Pathway to Sustainable Cities’ featured distinguished experts from across the industry, including Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kessara Thanyalakpark, Managing Director of Sena Development PCL; Mr Narongwet Wajanapanich, Managing Director of Quality Construction Products PCL (SCG Group); Mr Samatcha Promsiri, Chief of Staff at Sansiri PCL; and Ms. Phatsareephak Srikanchananon, Head of Property Management, CBRE Thailand. The session addressed key topics such as mega-trends in sustainable urban development, the prospects and challenges of green building adoption in Thailand, the application of international case studies, urban development potential, green building certification standards, and the critical role of government support in ensuring urban development progresses in a unified and sustainable direction.

Under the theme ‘Thailand’s Real Estate Outlook 2026,’ the seminar served as a key driver in shaping a sustainable real estate business model under the Sustainable Way approach, connecting the private sector, government, and stakeholders. EnCo plays a central role in advancing both ideas and implementation, with the goal of raising industry standards and positioning Thailand’s real estate sector for stable and sustainable growth in the future.

Phuket authorities have launched a sweeping infrastructure blueprint aimed at easing traffic congestion, improving water security, and upgrading marine transport links to boost the island’s role as a regional hub.

Governor Sophon Suwannarat recently chaired a seminar attended by 29 foreign consuls, state agencies, and the private sector. The forum highlighted progress on nine major road projects, a long-term water supply plan, and the Yamu Port upgrade into an Andaman marina hub.

The Department of Highways reported nine schemes to address chronic traffic bottlenecks, particularly between Phuket city and the airport. Key works include the 650-million-baht expansion of Highway 4027 from Ban Thalang to Ban Muang Mai, due for completion in 2026, and a new highway link from Ban Muang Mai to the airport, targeted for 2028.

Other projects cover improvements to Highway 402 from Khok Kloi to Phuket town, costing 700 million baht, and construction of Highway 4030, from Thalang to Rawai Beach, for 325 million baht.

There are also a plan to build Highway 4025, from Tha Ruea to Choeng Thale, at a cost of 420 million baht and Highway 4031, from Mud Dok Khao to Phuket International Airport, with a 185 million baht price tag.

Some are also under survey and design, including a consultancy project for Highway 402-Sarasin Bridge, a feasibility study on a new highway route from Ban Pa Khlok to Ban Bang Khu and a plan for Highway 4023, from Phuket town to Cape Panwa, with a cost of 200 million baht.

Traffic management on Highway 402, Phuket’s main artery, is also being enhanced with redesigned intersections and safety measures across nine locations.

In parallel, the Provincial Waterworks Authority is advancing a plan to divert raw water from Ratchaprapa Dam in Surat Thani to Phuket, he said.

The proposal, structured as a public-private partnership, is undergoing feasibility and impact assessments. Officials expect tender documents to be ready by late 2027, ensuring long-term water security for Phuket and neighbouring provinces.

Marine infrastructure is another focus. The Marine Department is steering plans to redevelop Yamu Port in Thalang district into a community marina aligned with the government’s Andaman masterplan. The design phase is complete, with environmental assessments and dredging studies to follow. The project aims to provide year-round safe access for yachts, boost maritime tourism, and position Phuket as a competitive marina hub.

Governor Sophon said the integrated approach reflects Phuket’s vision of becoming a sustainable tourism and logistics centre.

“These projects are designed not only to relieve local problems such as traffic and water shortages but also to strengthen Phuket’s global connectivity and economic competitiveness,” he said.