Category: The Bangkok Post

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.

The electrical wire and cable industry is expected to have bright prospects this year, driven by the growth of electric vehicle (EV) and data centre businesses, says the Trade Association of Thai Cable Manufacturers (ATCM).

More EV sales and investment in data centres in many countries, including Thailand, as part of a transition to clean energy will lift demand for electrical wire and cables used in EV assembly and data centre development, said Pongsapak Nakornsri, president of ATCM.

Data centres are becoming more important as the network of computers provides computational and storage infrastructure for data and the artificial intelligence technology used by businesses, he said.

Many operators of data centres also demand clean energy to run their facilities, which require a huge amount of electricity.

New clean energy projects, including solar and wind farms and hydropower plants, require electrical cables, said Mr Pongsapak, also chief commercial officer of Bangkok Cable Co, a local electrical wire and cable manufacturer.

The clean energy sector is expected to grow by 6% a year globally, he said, citing an estimate from market research agencies.

According to ATCM, the value of the global electrical wire and cable industry is expected to reach US$230 billion this year and increase to $300 billion by 2030.

The growth of the electrical wire and cable sector in Southeast Asia is expected to outperform the global market thanks to high economic growth in countries such as Vietnam.

In Thailand, applications for investment promotion incentives in the first half of 2025 increased by 139% year-on-year to a record 1.06 trillion baht, led by investment in the digital sector, according to the Board of Investment.

The data centre segment attracted a combined investment value of 521 billion baht from 28 projects, as foreign and local tech companies continued to address the soaring demand for cloud services from hyperscalers, which refers to global cloud service companies.

The government continues to promote the EV industry, aiming to make Thailand a regional hub of EV production.

Under its “30@30” policy, Thailand expects EVs to represent at least 30% of total auto production by 2030, comprising 725,000 zero-emission cars, 675,000 electric motorcycles and 34,000 electric buses and trucks.

However, political uncertainties may cause a delay in new investment projects, which will eventually affect the electrical wire and cable industry, said Mr Pongsapak.

The Justice Ministry has set up a panel to review convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s petition for a royal pardon, according to Justice Minister Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon Naowarat.

Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon said on Thursday that he has established a committee to review the petition, and it is anticipated to complete the examination within three days.

Thaksin’s lawyer, Winyat Chatmontree, confirmed early this week that his client had submitted the petition and maintained that it was a right granted to all inmates serving final sentences.

Thaksin, 76, was sent back to prison on Sept 9, 2025, on the order of the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions, which ruled that the time he spent in the Police General Hospital did not count as part of his incarceration.

The court then ordered the billionaire to serve one year in prison, in line with the commuted term of his original sentence.

On Thursday, former prime minister and Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra, along with her sister, Pintongta Kunakornwong, visited Thaksin at Klong Prem Central Prison. According to Ms Paetongtarn, her father had some neck issues, but he appeared fine overall.

Meanwhile, property giant SC Asset on Thursday informed the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) that Ms Paetongtarn reclaimed her 28.43% stake after stepping down from office, making her the largest major shareholder in the company.

Sweden and Thailand share a deep commitment to sustainability, blending tradition with innovation to achieve shared environmental goals, according to Anna Hammargren, the Swedish ambassador to Thailand.

.Speaking on Thursday at the Swedish-Thai Sustainable Talk Stage and Networking Reception during the the SX Sustainability Expo 2025, Ms Hammargren said ‘tradition and innovation, together, are the key to achieving our common sustainability goals’.

According to her, a new collaboration between the two countries under Thailand’s Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, which is aligned with Swedish values and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, has transformed ambitious visions into tangible actions.

She said partnerships with government, academia and the private sector are driving new solutions, with Swedish companies in Thailand showcasing how cutting-edge technologies, research and circular practices are accelerating the green transition.

Viktor Friberg, Cluster President for South East Asia and Oceania at Alfa Laval, during the talk highlighted his company’s role in redefining industrial efficiency.

Specialising in heat transfer, separation and fluid handling, Alfa Laval’s technologies address critical challenges in energy transition, clean water, sustainable food and marine transportation, he said.

With 40% of global emission reductions expected to come from efficiency improvements, Mr Friberg said, Alfa Laval’s solutions can cut energy consumption by up to 70%.

Last year, the company set a new emissions reduction target for 2027, reinforcing its commitment to operational sustainability, he said.

Strategic partnerships, including MoUs with other Swedish firms, are accelerating innovation, reducing costs and delivering transformative solutions, he said.

Alexis Richard, General Manager of Electrolux Thailand, shared how the Stockholm-based home appliance giant has been leading the shift towards greener living since 1992.

Electrolux designs products that offer sustainable choices without compromising quality of life, he said. In 2023, the company achieved a 31% reduction in product-related greenhouse gas emissions – three years ahead of its climate targets, he added.

He said key initiatives include a zero-landfill programme, responsible sourcing and supplier environmental footprint monitoring.

Collaborating with brands like AEG and Frigidaire, he said, Electrolux continues to innovate in taste, care and well-being, with upcoming launches of highly energy-efficient laundry and vacuum products.

Ratanasiri Tilokskulchai, Managing Director of Tetra Pak Thailand, meanwhile, emphasised that the company’s mission to ‘protect what’s good – food, people and the planet’ goes beyond packaging.

Tetra Pak’s innovations tackle climate, nature, circularity and social sustainability, she said.

By reducing aluminium in its packaging, the company has cut carbon emissions by 33%, and in 2024, achieved a 25% reduction in greenhouse gases, she said.

With more fibre-based and recyclable designs, Tetra Pak is reshaping the food system with circularity at its core, she said.

Less than one-third of data centres in Thailand possess the advanced capabilities necessary to support artificial intelligence (AI) workloads, creating a critical urgency for Thai organisations to upgrade their IT infrastructure.

Meeting these rising demands is essential for Thailand to secure its position as a leading AI hub in the region, according to Cisco Systems (Thailand).

“AI workloads are placing unprecedented demands on Thailand’s data centres, with most facilities not yet fully optimised for AI,” said Weera Areeratanasak, managing director of Cisco Thailand and Myanmar.

According to Cisco’s 2025 Networking Report, IT leaders in Thailand found that about 28% of data centres in Thailand say they are ready to fully utilise AI.

By 2027, the country aims to triple its data centre capacity from 350 megawatts (MW) in 2024 to 1 gigawatt (GW), backed by a US$6.5-billion infrastructure push.

Organisations in Thailand need to reimagine how they architect, scale, and secure their infrastructure to meet AI demands, the report says.

There is also growing expectation to leverage AI’s potential, with all companies surveyed in Cisco’s 2024 AI Readiness Index reporting an urgency to adopt and deploy AI over the past year.

However, AI introduces new challenges — driving greater complexity, putting pressure on existing infrastructure and creating a trust deficit.

“Technology is evolving faster than before and organisations in Thailand have a short runway to put the secure, critical infrastructure needed for AI in place,” said Mr Weera.

To address these challenges, Cisco is moving from a “best-of-breed” approach to an integrated “platform” approach.

The platform approach combines networking, security, and observability into a single, unified platform to provide comprehensive visibility and control.

Cisco’s strategy focusses on three key areas.

First, it supports data centres to be AI-ready. Readiness would not only support AI workloads but also leverage AI to automate and simplify data centre operations.

Its standout initiative in this area is the Secure AI Factory solution, created in collaboration with Nvidia, which delivers a certified, secure, and ready-to-deploy AI data centre design.

Second, Cisco is enabling a future-proof workplace by supporting secure hybrid and remote work environments.

Finally, it enhances organisations’ digital resilience in recognising that IT is now a core part of business operations to help organisations mitigate risk and maintain continuity during disruptions.

By integrating data from across the network, security, and applications, organisations will have end-to-end visibility, enhanced resilience, and the agility needed to embrace new technologies such as AI, helping clients maximise value, streamline management, and accelerate innovation.

In the past year, Cisco demonstrated strong AI momentum, recording more than $2 billion in AI infrastructure orders in the 2025 fiscal year, more than double the original $1-billion target.

“AI is emerging as a significant growth driver for Thailand’s digital economy,” said Mr Weera.

However, a gap remains between businesses’ ambitions and their readiness for AI.

To truly capitalise on this technology, governments need to establish the right governance and policy frameworks, investing in skills and infrastructure, addressing regulatory and privacy concerns, and ensuring that businesses have the appropriate tools and expertise to leverage AI effectively.

Mr Weera said considering the total cost of ownership when investing in AI over the long term, rather than just upfront costs, is critical to sustainable AI adoption and maximising return on investment.

To address cost concerns, Cisco developed tailored solutions covering everything from silicon to full AI systems, including networking, compute, optics, data centre interconnect, security, and observability.

Organisations can choose validated full-stack solutions with integrated management or select individual components to build a custom stack.

‘Annyeong: Pet Adventure In Korea” is the concept for the 15th “SmartHeart Presents Thailand International Pet Variety Exhibition”, which kicks off on Oct 9 and runs daily from 10am to 8pm until Oct 12, at Impact Exhibition Hall 7-8, Muang Thong Thani.

A retro Korean atmosphere will be recreated for this year’s edition, inviting pet lovers and their furry friends to enjoy, take chic photos and shop for products and services. This is another chance to witness more than 20,000 pets of various kinds at many zones inspired by famous Korean landmarks and packed with fun activities.

The “Cat Zone: The Land Of Korean Kitties” will see pedigree and adorable domestic cats on the stage before international judges to vie for cash prizes during “CFA Cat Competition 2025 By SCFC” on Oct 11 and 12. Also running on both days will be the “Bright-Eyed Beauty Cats” contest.

Also prepare to enjoy the world’s first ARBA standard rabbit competition at the “Rabbit Zone: The Cute Rodent Realm”, which will bring over 10 rare rabbit breeds. Also presented will be a mouse race, a hamster contest, an up-close experience with giant bush babies and a debut showcase of Thailand’s only Continental Giant and German Lop blue rabbits.

On display at the “Exotic Zone: Wonders Of Unusual Pets” will be rarely-seen creatures including meerkats, ferrets, sugar gliders, iguanas, ball pythons, horned frogs, eagles, Sulcata giant tortoises, macaws, giant bush babies, rare palm civets, ring-tailed lemurs, prairie dogs, skunk gangs, as well as lizards of various species from around the world.

The “Pet Playground Zone: Friends Show Their Skills” will be full of exciting challenges including grooming contests for cats and dogs, a wall-climbing dog challenge, the 38th “Thailand Pitbull Weight Pulling Championship”, the “UDC The Star” contest. Also, enjoy fun Korean-themed games such as “Do You Remember Me? Appa or Omma?”, “Mama’s Award: Saranghae”, “Come Here Baby: Monitor Lizard Racing” and treat-licking games for cats and dogs.

A number of Korean-themed workshops will also be arranged for pet owners to create a lucky charm, a key chain, a pet leash and other keepsakes, while the “Korea-Pet Street Market” will feature over 250 booths, offering Korean-style pet fashion, healthy pet food and snack, toys and the latest technology innovations. Special promotions will be presented and free pet health check-ups from top veterinary clinics will be available.

Another highlight is a series of business seminars by the Thai Pet Products Industry Association and the Thailand Exotic Pet Keepers Association, on Oct 9 from 12.30pm to 5.30pm. There is no admission fee but seats are limited.

Entry fee is 20 baht, with part of the proceeds going towards the 1 Baht For Hungry Dogs project.

Police in Bangkok have arrested a 55-year-old woman accused of opening bank accounts for a transnational money laundering network that had more than 5 billion baht in circulation.

Officers from the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD) apprehended the woman identified only as Wimol, on Ngam Wong Wan Road in the Lat Yao area of Chatuchak district on Wednesday, said Pol Maj Gen Tasaphum Jaruprat, the ECD commander of the ECD.

The suspect was wanted under two arrest warrants issued by the Criminal Court, on April 25 last year and on Feb 26 this year. The charges against her include colluding to defraud the public, conspiracy to launder money, inputting false information into a computer system, allowing others to use her bank accounts for technology crimes, and conspiracy to commit serious crimes linked to a transnational criminal organisation.

According to a police investigation, Ms Wimol had opened bank accounts for foreign nationals and got involved in laundering money for a transnational criminal syndicate that had more than 5 billion baht in circulation.

Police said she had previously served a jail term at the Central Women’s Correctional Institution for her role in a separate fraud case that resulted in 9 million baht in losses.

After she was released, ECD investigators tracked her movements and managed to arrest her while she was walking along Nam Wong Wan Road, said Pol Maj Gen Tasaphum.

During questioning, Ms Wimol reportedly confessed that she had been approached by an unidentified woman in 2023 to open bank accounts. The woman had persuaded her that the accounts would be used for an online business.

After she handed over the details of the accounts, the suspect said she lost contact with the woman. She later discovered that her accounts had been used for illicit activities.

She has been handed over to investigators at ECD Sub-division 3 for further legal proceedings.