Category: The Bangkok Post

The Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) has inaugurated a multimodal transport project at Ranong Port, creating a freight transport route connecting China, Laos, Thailand, Myanmar and South Asian countries via the west coast of southern Thailand.

A recent ceremony marked the launch of the inaugural shipment to Yangon Port in Myanmar, helping elevate Ranong Port’s role as a central maritime trade hub on Thailand’s Andaman coast and linking regional economic networks, said Kriengkrai Chaisiriwongsuk, the PAT director-general.

The ceremony was held to promote a multimodal freight transport route that integrates trucking, rail and maritime shipping.

Ranong Port serves as a strategic hub, expanding trade and investment opportunities across the Asean and South Asian regions. The project also aims to build confidence among customers, operators, international freight forwarders and shipping lines, he said.

Mr Kriengkrai said freight transport from Ranong will take just three days to reach Yangon Port in Myanmar, four days to Chittagong in Bangladesh, and six days to both Chennai in India and Colombo in Sri Lanka.

Previously, these journeys took 14-21 days. This demonstrates the potential to significantly reduce both transit time and transport costs, providing a competitive advantage for Thai and international operators alike.

‘Ranong Port is the only government-operated port located on the Andaman coast and serves as Thailand’s gateway to the Bimstec countries: Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan,’ he said.

Bimstec stands for Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation.

He said the launch not only creates new economic opportunities but also demonstrates the PAT’s commitment to developing Ranong Port into a modern, transparent and sustainable trade and transport hub.

Mr Kriengkrai said the project has received strong support from Thai Transport Centre Co, together with business partners including SCG JWD Logistics Plc, Ever Flow River Group Plc from Myanmar and SPT Smart Creation Co.

Situated in a strategic position on Thailand’s Andaman coast, Ranong Port currently has the capacity to handle both containerised and general cargo.

Ranong has also been touted as the western terminus of the controversial southern Land Bridge project, linked to Chumphon on the Gulf of Thailand by a new land transport corridor.

Sales of trucks and motorcycles, as well as farmers’ incomes nationwide, continued to contract in August due to the economic slowdown, according to the Fiscal Policy Office’s (FPO) regional economic report.

Pornchai Thiraveja, director-general of the FPO, said new truck registrations declined across all regions, with those in the central region falling by 70.8% year-on-year, the South by 30.3%, the Northeast by 49.9%, the North by 57.7%, the East by 31.2%, the West by 55.4% and Bangkok and surrounding areas by 50.7%.

New motorcycle registrations also decreased in every region during August, with those in the central region dropping by 9.2%, the South by 14.1%, the Northeast by 15.5%, the North by 22.1%, the East by 3.1%, the West by 4.4% and Bangkok and surrounding areas by 9.7%.

Farmers’ incomes fell across all regions, with those in the central region declining by 16.2%, the South by 5.9%, the Northeast by 11.4%, the North by 26.8%, the East by 10%, the West by 9.6% and Bangkok and surrounding areas by 21.5%.

The FPO also conducted the Regional Economic Sentiment Index (RSI) for September, reflecting regional economic prospects over the next six months.

These prospects are still expected to expand, particularly in the eastern and southern regions, driven by improvements in the agricultural and industrial sectors.

However, issues such as volatile weather conditions, global economic and trade fluctuations as well as progress on stimulus measures require monitoring, noted the office.

All regional RSIs tallied higher than 50%, with the eastern region the highest at 75.4%, while Bangkok and surrounding areas were the lowest at 57.4%.

The eastern region’s future index reflects confidence in continued economic expansion, particularly in the services and investment sectors, as the high season for tourism brings festivals in many areas, said Mr Pornchai.

Measures to promote tourism and investment to develop tourist attractions and infrastructure from both the public and private sectors should also support the sector, he said.

Further stimulus measures and government policies to promote high-technology industries are anticipated, which should support the recovery of domestic demand and investment. As a result, the future economic sentiment index for the Eastern Economic Corridor rose to 79.9.

Meanwhile, the southern region’s RSI tallied 71.0, driven mainly by confidence in the services and investment sectors as the high season for tourism approaches.

The Climate Change Act establishes a legal framework for achieving net zero emissions, implements carbon pricing, and enhances climate resilience, thereby having a profound impact on Thailand’s green transformation.

However, digital technology still must be developed to support emerging solutions and the trend towards carbon cost reduction, say experts at the “Climate Change and Digitalisation” forum at SX Sustainability Expo 2025.

They said selling credits abroad often yields higher returns but requires greater investment. Still, as climate impacts intensify, demand for carbon credits is expected to rise sharply, driving prices higher.

“Thailand faces mounting pressure to meet annual reduction targets as part of its commitment to the Paris Agreement. Buying carbon credits is one approach to help accelerate decarbonisation,” said Paul Connell, regional manager for Climate Change Development SEA at South Pole.

Thailand’s major emitters remain the energy, transport, and agriculture sectors. Transitioning to renewable energy, shifting to electric vehicles, and promoting sustainable farming practices have all been cited as urgent priorities, said observers.

Korakoj Sanguanpiyapan, CEO of Wave BCG, said his company focuses on climate consulting, helping organisations assess emissions, design reduction projects, and create strategies for carbon credits.

By combining digital technologies such as satellite monitoring and data analytics, businesses can track deforestation, crop health, and methane emissions from agriculture at scale — a feat that would be impossible to achieve manually across thousands of hectares.

Taweesak Ongiam, founder of ShooShok, presented a Thai-developed waste management solution that tackles food waste by turning it into compost. The initiative shows how local innovation can simultaneously address waste management and emissions reduction.

“Rather than incurring management costs, food waste can be converted into CO² credits,” he said.

Jakkanit Kananurak from Thailand’s Digital Economy Promotion Agency, said the digital economy would grow by 23.36% in the next 3-5 years, driven by the expansion of the carbon market.

When the Women’s China Open first teed off in 2006, the occasion was quietly significant. At the time, women’s golf in the Middle Kingdom was still taking fledgling steps in the global game. The domestic circuit was modest, the talent pool limited and the pathway to elite professional circuits like the LPGA Tour seemed distant, if not daunting.

Yet that first swing in Xiamen coincided with the dawn of a new era, one in which the nation’s most talented women would soon find their footing at home before spreading their wings abroad to challenge the best of the best and eventually write Chinese golf into the pages of sporting history.

Nearly two decades after the inaugural event, the transformation has been profound in China. From Feng Shanshan’s trailblazing major victory in 2012 to the steady rise of top players such as Janet Lin Xiyu, Yin Ruoning and Miranda Wang on the LPGA Tour, and milestone Olympic Games moments in Rio de Janeiro and Paris where Feng and Lin earned bronze medals, women’s golf in China has certainly been propelled to the forefront with great force.

Such has been the impact and growth in China that golfers from across Southeast Asia, including a strong representation of Thai players such as Sherman Santiwiwatthanaphong, Onkanok Soisuwan and Kan Bunnabodee, are now looking at the CLPG Tour as the career springboard as they dream of the stars.

At the heart of this rise has been the Women’s China Open. It is not just another stop on the calendar, it is the flagship event on the CLPG Tour, where every talented golfer aspires to join her idols and attain world-class stature.

For Feng, the country’s first major champion and its most iconic player, the Women’s China Open was an early inspiration especially when she saw firsthand how Korean superstars Shin Jiyai, Kim Hyo-Joo and Park Sung-Hyun dominated on Chinese soil by winning the Open five times amongst them. Shin is a former world No.1, Kim and Park are major champions and the trio holds a staggering 109 professional victories combined.

“Growing up as a young golfer, the Women’s China Open was a tournament that held special meaning for me. The experiences I gained over the years played a pivotal role in shaping my career,” said Feng, who has 22 career wins including 10 on the LPGA Tour.

Feng’s victory at the Women’s PGA Championship in 2012, one of golf’s majors, broke barriers for Chinese golf, but she has never overlooked the foundation that events like the Women’s China Open and the CLPG Tour provided.

“I am proud to see Chinese golfers achieving success on the LPGA Tour, and I believe the future of women’s golf in China is exceptionally bright.”

For Janet Lin Xiyu, who has taken a temporary leave of absence from the LPGA Tour for the arrival of her first child, the Women’s China Open was both a launching pad and a personal milestone. She became the first Chinese golfer to lift the trophy in 2019, an achievement she cherishes as much as her achievements abroad, including a podium finish at the Paris Olympic Games last summer.

“That achievement will always hold a special place in my heart, and I am proud to have contributed to the growth of our country’s golfing history,” said Lin, who owns seven CLPG Tour victories. “From the time I began competing, the Women’s China Open stood out as one of the most important tournaments on the calendar. It inspired me to push harder and strive for excellence. Like all great national Opens, it has played a pivotal role in developing women’s golf, providing a stage for Chinese players to challenge themselves.”

From the inaugural edition in Xiamen to this year’s groundbreaking move to Shanghai where the tournament will be played at Enhance Anting Golf Club from Oct 17-19, all eyes will be on the next wave of Chinese and regional aspiring stars. The local starlets include a group of amateurs such as 18-year-old Wang Zixuan, Xu Ying, 16, and 15-year-old Zhou Shiyuan — all of whom have won on the CLPG Tour this season.

The CLPG Tour has also provided opportunities for regional and aspiring golfers from Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia to sharpen their professional teeth, with the likes Sherman Santiwiwatthanaphong (THA), Onkanok Soisuwan (THA), Kan Bunnabodee (THA), Jocelyn Chee (MAS), Ng Jing Xuen (MAS), Amanda Tan (SIN) and Patricia Sinolungan (INA) benefitting immensely. With Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul rising to world No.1 recently, the importance of women’s golf growth across the Asia-Pacific is not lost on many.

Kan, 24, was in the national team with Jeeno during their amateur days and believes the CLPG Tour offers a career pathway to the top as the No.1 from the points list will secure playing rights on the Korean LPGA Tour.

“Seeing Jeeno’s success on the LPGA Tour, I’m really proud of her. It was amazing to see her reach world No.1 which is motivating me to want to achieve it too,” said Kan.

The upswing in fortunes is certainly testament to the fact that the Women’s China Open is proving to be just the origin of greatness for women’s golf in the country, and region wide.

Public confusion and registration system glitches beset the launch of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s “No Mixed Waste” programme that took effect yesterday.

While the programme, which aims to cut back city waste through new collection fees, is noble, the blunder suggests the BMA is not doing enough.

Under the programme, city dwellers or those producing less than 20 litres of garbage a day, are required to follow waste collection guidelines, registering through the “BKK Waste Pay” app.

They must prove that they are sorting garbage as required in exchange for a monthly collection fee discount: 20 baht or two-thirds less from the new 60-baht fee. BMA has also introduced a tiered fee structure for restaurants and shopping malls.

City residents who do not participate, however, will have to pay the full fee. They cannot reapply for the lower rate after six months.

Every six months, each household has to prove they are still sorting waste as recommended to remain eligible for the programme.

Apparently, the programme has met a lukewarm response from city residents. Some 230,000 households registered with the system as of Sept 4, which is a disappointing figure given the city’s population.

There were reports that at least one district in Thon Buri experienced an online registration system crash on Sept 30, just one day before the programme launch.

Phasi Charoen district office said it required two days to fix the system, which astounded residents. After all, it’s not their fault that they couldn’t register for the scheme in time.

The BMA FB page put up a poster reminding people of the programme on Sept 30 but netizens asking questions were left unanswered.

More importantly, some city residents still have no clue what to do after they separate the waste into four types recommended (food waste, recyclable waste, e-waste, and general waste).

They cannot distinguish among various types of recyclable waste, or types of waste which are hard to recycle, known as “orphan waste”. Some are unsure if they have to acquire colour-coded bins.

Needless to say, the BMA needs to improve its PR campaign for such a programme to be a success.

The programme is indeed noble given the objective of reducing waste in a city that creates an enormous amount of it, more than 12.7 tonnes per day as of 2023. It just requires improvement in terms of the practical measures.

The BMA and its district offices need to include communities more, with regard to waste collection spots for each type of waste.

It should consider providing incentives for community groups or members who pitch in with waste collection efforts.

With regard to e-waste, it’s apparent few residents are aware of its impact on health and the environment, if it is not properly treated. Although the BMA has said it would designate collection spots for this type of waste, they are not to be found anywhere so far. Some department stores and education outlets have provided special bins for this type of waste in the past but on a tiny scale.

Waste management is more than trash collecting: it is about good management and collaboration. The BMA, rather than doing it alone, has to seek partners to help it in this uphill task.

The 1, Thailand’s No. 1 digital lifestyle and loyalty platform under Central Group, has unveiled a new benchmark with ‘The 1 to The World’ – exclusive global privileges that accompany members wherever they travel. In collaboration with Central Group’s international department stores and strategic partners, The 1 is elevating loyalty experiences beyond borders, offering seamless benefits at world-class destinations abroad.

The initiative also enhances privileges for the Wealth Segment, including The 1 Exclusive and CENFINITY, with additional premium advantages through the Central The 1 Credit Card.

Representing The 1 members as true global citizens, renowned TV host and global affairs commentator Dr Wit Sittivaekin, together with his spouse, Khun Puey – Veenarat Laohapakakul, a well-known news anchor, shared their personal experiences of enjoying the comfort and convenience of The 1’s international privileges during their travels.

Expanding loyalty beyond borders

Hansa Wongsiripitack, Head of Marketing, The 1, said: ‘As the largest loyalty programme in Thailand with over 22 million members nationwide, The 1 sees travel and tourism consistently ranking among the top three lifestyle interests of our members, according to The 1 Insight. With the power of Central Group’s international network and world-class partners, we created the strategy ‘The 1 to The World’ to seamlessly extend member benefits from Thailand to leading department stores abroad. This is our way of delivering ultimate convenience, exclusivity, and value – no matter where in the world our members travel.’

International privileges for The 1 members

Through The 1 to The World, members can access exclusive privileges across Europe and Asia, including points collection, special discounts, and VIP-level services at leading department stores such as:

Rinascente (Italy)

KaDeWe, Oberpollinger, Alsterhaus (Germany)

Globus (Switzerland)

Illum (Denmark)

de Bijenkorf (Netherlands)

Daimaru (Japan)

Lotte Duty Free, The Shilla Duty Free (South Korea)

Marina Bay Sands (Singapore)

Benefits include:

All The 1 members: Earn The 1 Points with every purchase and enjoy 10% discounts on participating products. For example, earn 1 The 1 Point for every pound 1 spent at Rinascente, KaDeWe, Oberpollinger and Alsterhaus; every 8 DKK at Illum; and every 1 CHF at Globus.

The 1 Exclusive members: In addition to points collection, enjoy up to 20% discount plus premium services such as fast-track tax refund counters, hotel delivery, gift wrapping, personal shopping assistants, and VIP lounge access.

CENFINITY members: Experience an even higher level of exclusivity with private chauffeur service, welcome drinks, tailoring and alteration services, and beauty treatments at participating department stores.

Central The 1 Credit Card holders (The Black, Black, Luxe): Receive up to 15% cashback on purchases at partner stores worldwide and access to more than 1,600 premium airport lounges globally.

Voices from global citizens

Dr Wit Sittivaekin, world history expert and popular TV host, shared: ‘The first time a staff member at Rinascente asked for my The 1 membership number, I felt like we had placed the Thai flag abroad. It was a proud and heartwarming moment. What impressed me most was not just collecting points, but the privileges – from hotel delivery and fast-track tax refunds to VIP lounge access. These made travelling as a The 1 Exclusive member feel truly special, with VIP treatment anywhere in the world.’

Khun Puey – Veenarat Laohapakakul, news anchor and global affairs expert, added: ‘Every time I use The 1 privileges abroad, whether collecting points at top European department stores or enjoying up to 15% cashback with the Central The 1 Credit Card, it makes shopping more rewarding, fun, and complete. Being a member of The 1 truly feels valuable – whether at home in Thailand or while travelling the world.’

True Corporation’s commitment to innovation has been recognised on the national stage as True CyberSafe, the company’s intelligent cyber-threat protection system, won the 2025 National Innovation Award in the Social and Environmental category. The achievement reflects True’s role in developing innovations that help build a safe, trusted and reliable digital society for every Thai connection. On this occasion, Dr Chutima Aimchotchawalit (right), Chairman of the National Innovation Board of Thailand, presented the 2025 National Innovation Award in the Social and Environmental category, Large and Medium Enterprise segment, to True Corporation Plc., represented by Mr Sharad Mehrotra (centre), Chief Consumer Business Officer, and Dr Naetchanok Wipatasinlapin (left), Head of Sustainability Division, in recognition of True’s outstanding innovation initiatives that deliver clear and lasting value to society and the nation.

At the event, Dr Sumet Tantivejkul, Chairman of the Thai Rice Foundation under Royal Patronage, together with Dr Krithpaka Boonfueng, Executive Director of the National Innovation Agency (Public Organisation), extended their congratulations to the True innovation team behind True CyberSafe at the 2025 National Innovation Day. The event was organised by the National Innovation Agency (Public Organisation), Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, at Dusit Thani Hotel, Bangkok.

Mr Sharad Mehrotra, Chief Consumer Business Officer of True Corporation Plc., stated: ‘The National Innovation Award that True CyberSafe has received this year is not only a proud achievement for True but also a reflection of our unwavering commitment to being an innovation-driven organisation. We are determined to leverage our robust digital infrastructure and comprehensive ecosystem to raise the standards of online safety. We believe that building a trusted digital society is a crucial step towards becoming a Customer Champion, delivering the best possible experiences to our customers. True CyberSafe was therefore developed with intelligent AI technology capable of detecting, blocking and alerting users to suspicious or harmful links in real time, enabling customers to navigate the digital world with confidence, safety and peace of mind, even as cyber threats grow increasingly complex alongside rapid technological advances. To date, the system has protected customers from more than 2.2 billion attempts to click on fraudulent links and answer dangerous phone calls. True will continue to develop innovations to build a safer and more sustainable digital society.’

Dr Naetchanok Wipatasinlapin, Head of Sustainability Division of True Corporation Plc., added: ‘True is committed to harnessing innovation to create long-term value for society, and True CyberSafe is a clear example of how we integrate technology with social responsibility. Receiving this award serves as strong motivation for us to continue innovating – from nurturing new-generation innovators and developing patented technologies to delivering digital solutions that empower people to live and work online with confidence and safety. Currently, more than 1,040 employees are continuously innovating and developing technology to enhance the customer experience, with over 116 patents and petty patents already registered. By 2030, True aims to cultivate an additional 500 innovators, generate no less than 15% of its revenue from innovation, and register up to 200 intellectual property assets, reinforcing our ongoing commitment to building a safer and more sustainable digital society.’

Exploring the Innovation Behind True CyberSafe, Winner of the 2025 National Innovation Award

True CyberSafe is a cyber protection service for over 60 million True customers. Providing protection across True’s mobile and home internet networks, it is free to use with no registration or app download required. It offers three key features:

Real-time malicious link blocking

Blocks links on the blacklist from Thailand’s Cyber Police and government agencies immediately when clicked.

If the link is not on the blacklist but is suspicious, the system shows a warning ‘Caution: This may be a dangerous website’ and gives the user 60 seconds to decide.

Has already protected users from over 2.2 billion fraudulent link clicks, averaging 8 million per day (from 3 December 2024 to 30 September 2025).

Currently tracks over 455,000 suspicious links, with the list growing continuously.

Call AI Filter – AI screens or warns against incoming scam calls

Uses data from over 300,000 suspicious numbers provided by Thailand’s Cyber Police.

Instantly alerts users to potential scam calls.

SMS AI Filter – AI detects scam SMS to analyse scammer behaviour (coming soon).

In addition, the 9777 Scam Report service allows the public to report scam calls easily, quickly and safely, with investigation results provided within 24 hours.

Sukhothai’s Old Town has been awarded the Green Destinations Gold Award 2025 at the Green Destinations international event in France.

The event has been held from Sept 28 to Oct 2 in Montpellier. The recognition makes Sukhothai the second Thai site to receive the award, following Nan Old Town’s award last year, said Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, director of the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (Dasta).

“This success shows how sustainable tourism can protect heritage and strengthen local communities,” he said. Since 2019, Sukhothai has applied the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria in its management, Mr Siripakorn said, adding the Green Destinations panel highlighted excellence in four areas: culture and tradition, social well-being, destination management, and business communication. Sukhothai scored a perfect 10 in culture and tradition, reflecting its Unesco World Heritage status and its role in sustaining local livelihoods.

Thailand also celebrated 10 listings in the Green Destinations Top 100 Stories Awards 2025. The 10 awardees are Chakngeaw Chinese Village in Chon Buri; Chiang Khan community in Loei; Koh Chang in Trat; Koh Lanta in Krabi; Kui Buri National Park in Prachuap Khiri Khan; Nan Old Town; Na Kluea community in Chon Buri; Royal Park Rajapruek in Chiang Mai; Tha Chai-Si Satchanalai in Sukhothai; and Uthai Thani Old Town.

Neramit Songsaeng, chief of Mu Koh Chang National Park, said the recognition would boost interest in the island’s biodiversity and natural heritage. “Preparing for almost two years to achieve this recognition has been worthwhile. Our next goal is to compete for a Gold Award,” he said. Acting Sub Lt Korakot Opas, Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Trat office director, added Koh Chang’s listing would elevate the province’s image.

New condo launches priced below market averages are attracting buyers despite a sluggish economy, a contracting residential sector and weakened purchasing power, according to SET-listed developer Supalai.

Tritecha Tangmatitham, managing director of Supalai, said the condo market rebounded to about 90% of normal levels from July to August, after slowing in the first half due to weak sentiment in the first quarter and the impact of the March 28 earthquake in the second quarter.

“Sentiment slowed again this month, but conditions are still better than in the second quarter,” he said. “A few new projects avoided weak sales, recording strong take-up as their prices were set below market averages. Price performance is significant.”

Late last month, the company launched Supalai Elite Sukhumvit 39, a 192-unit project on Sukhumvit Soi 39 with unit sizes starting at 56.5 square metres, priced from 6.3 million baht or 120,000 baht per sq m on average.

The project sold out on its launch day — the only new condo in Greater Bangkok to achieve that feat this year — as its prices were set below the market average of more than 150,000 baht per sq m and it offered unit sizes rarely available in the surrounding area, said Mr Tritecha.

“Condo buyers now seek affordable units that allow them to secure mortgages with confidence, while investment buyers are returning if yields are attractive,” he said.

Over the past two years, buyers preferred developers to include everything in the units, pushing up prices so they could secure a mortgage covering all costs at once, said Mr Tritecha.

That trend has changed, as many buyers opt to strip out extras, even solar rooftops on low-rise houses that could reduce electricity bills, seeking to keep unit prices lower and facilitate mortgage approval.

The ability to price new condos below market averages stemmed from securing land at favourable costs, as competition for plots eased significantly during the economic slowdown the past 1-2 years, he said.

“This change allowed us to launch projects at more affordable levels,” said Mr Tritecha. “Land prices today are more than 10% lower than two years ago. Many plots were secured at pre-negotiated prices, while some were acquired at the seller’s original purchase cost from a decade ago.”

Competition for condo development land was minimal due to weak market sentiment, challenges in securing corporate loans, and difficulties in issuing new debentures, even as this year recorded the largest number of plots offered by property developers, he said.

Supalai set a 2025 land investment budget of 8 billion baht and has already spent half. The company’s average cost of funds was 2.63% as of the end of June 2025, said Mr Tritecha.

“Strong financial capacity allows us to acquire land at favourable deals with no rival bids, as well as negotiate better terms with contractors as construction activity has been reduced the past 1-2 years,” he said.

The presales performance of all developers, including Supalai, is expected to fall short of targets set earlier this year as the market has been sluggish for several months due to the earthquake and the US tariff hike, said Mr Tritecha.

The company is maintaining its presales target of 32 billion baht for 2025, despite recording only 11.9 billion in the first half.

A debate has erupted online after a woman claimed she was able to bring her mother into a Thai hospital emergency room ahead of other patients – including one in cardiac arrest – by relying on personal connections.

According to her now-deleted post, the woman said she accompanied her mother to the ER at an unidentified hospital in the morning and was initially told by nurses that they had to wait as a critical cardiac arrest case was being treated.

She claimed, however, that upon opening the door she spotted someone she knew inside, and used that connection to secure immediate treatment for her mother.

The story spread quickly after being shared by Dr. Dark, a popular Facebook page focusing on Thailand’s medical community with more than 130,000 followers.

Social media users flooded the comments section, questioning whether ‘pulling strings’ had indeed allowed the woman’s mother to skip the queue. Many argued that if the claims were true, the matter should be formally investigated and those involved held accountable.

The controversy deepened when one commenter alleged that the cardiac arrest patient mentioned in the post was a relative, who later died – possibly linked to the delay in treatment. The claim further fuelled public outrage online.

The woman later deleted her post and issued an apology, writing: ‘My mother is safe now. Thank you to the doctors and nurses who took care of her. I’m truly sorry for the earlier post – I acted thoughtlessly out of fear for my mother. I sincerely apologise.’ (Story continues below)

As of now, it remains unclear whether queue-jumping actually occurred, or whether the cardiac arrest patient in question did in fact pass away. Authorities and the hospital involved have yet to issue an official clarification.