Category: The Bangkok Post

Opposition MPs have criticised the government’s 10.3-billion-baht budget transfer bill, saying it would have little impact on the economy and questioning the priorities behind the spending plan.

The bill, presented by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, seeks to transfer 10.3 billion baht from selected items in the 2026 fiscal budget to the central emergency and contingency fund.

According to Mr Anutin, the funding was necessary because the original 99-billion-baht emergency reserve had been used to address economic and social hardships arising from domestic and international challenges and was insufficient to respond to future emergencies and natural disasters.

The prime minister urged parliament to approve the budget transfer bill, saying the fund would be used transparently and efficiently to meet urgent national needs.

Democrat Party MP Korn Chatikavanij on Thursday argued that the proposed transfer would have only a marginal impact on the economy and provide less assistance to the public than expected.

He said the government had previously indicated it could reallocate as much as 125 billion baht to address rising energy prices and support the public. Instead, the final bill proposed transferring only 10.3 billion baht, equivalent to about 0.2% of the 3.78-trillion-baht budget.

According to Mr Korn, the government proceeded with the budget transfer bill primarily to honour an earlier commitment to parliament and strengthen its legal position when seeking approval for a 500-billion-baht emergency loan decree.

“Transferring only 10.3 billion baht when it knew it could reallocate 125 billion baht raises the question of whether the government has done its utmost to avoid borrowing. That matter will be reviewed by the Constitutional Court,” he said.

People’s Party list MP Sirikanya Tansakun also questioned whether the government had set the right spending priorities.

While the government said the transfer was intended to prepare for future disasters, it had cut more than one billion baht from an integrated water resources management programme, she noted.

She also questioned the criteria used to select projects for budget transfers, saying the government appeared to be withdrawing funds from projects unlikely to be disbursed on time while leaving inefficient spending untouched.

Ms Sirikanya described the transfer as a short-term cash-flow measure that came at the expense of delaying expenditure by state agencies.

“If the government were a private company, it would be seen as facing severe financial trouble, unable to manage cash flow,” she said.

During the presentation of the bill, Mr Anutin outlined the sources of the budget reallocations.

He said the 10.3 billion baht would be drawn from two main areas: unspent routine expenditure across all budget categories as of June 2, 2026, and investment expenditure that had not yet proceeded to bidding, procurement or construction by the same date.

As a second instalment of the DC Universe (DCU), ‘Supergirl’ (2026) sets a different tone in James Gunn’s cinematic universe. It follows Supergirl in her quest to save her dog while becoming her best self.

The film was based on the comic ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow’ (2021-2022), which was in turn based on the 1968 novel ‘True Grit’, and follows the same plot line.

After her whole family was murdered, Ruthee Ruthye Marye Knoll (Matthias Schoenaerts) sets out to seek revenge on a space bandit Krem of the Yellow Hills (Matthias Schoenaerts). She meets Kara Zor-El / Supergirl (Milly Alcock), whose dog, Krypto, has also been poisoned by Krem, who is also the only person with an antidote. Together, they embark on an interplanetary adventure to seek revenge and the cure.

Last year’s ‘Superman’ was a breath of fresh air. With the trend of darker, grittier superheroes – as popularised by ‘The Dark Knight’ (2009) and continued to the late DC Extended Universe (DCEU) – resting in peace, the 2025 take started the cinematic reboot of the DC Universe with a return to bright, hopeful and inspiring. The tone proved to fit well with the extremely humanistic character of Superman and managed to keep him relevant in the current time.

What shines in this continuation of the universe is the titular character herself. While Superman is a character viewers can look up to, Supergirl is a messier character in which audiences can see themselves.

Instead of being sent away to Earth as a toddler like her cousin Kal-El, Kara spent time growing up on Krypton. She had a life there and slowly saw the planet dying. This traumatised her greatly. She struggles to fit in and spends her time hopping planet to planet, drinking and partying. This differentiates ‘Supergirl’ from its predecessor, establishing that the new DC Universe is not all bright and shiny.

What audiences root for with Kara is not only for her to save her dog but for her to save herself and become the Supergirl she is meant to become.

I especially like Milly Alcock’s portrayal of the character. With her sunglasses, headset and no-care attitude, it was such a stark contrast to Clark Kent, despite sharing the same ‘Super’ symbol. What is also fun is that she basically has the same super powers, but is willing to let loose and use those powers more.

What the film falls short on is its delivery. The first two arcs set out an interesting premise and emotional backstory for Kara. It also challenges the main character with morally complex situations. However, this does not pay off in the third arc. We can somewhat understand what inspired Kara to change, but the change feels too out-of-nowhere, and the impact is not quite there. Even just thinking back to the “raise the flag scene” in Superman, I can find an example of a setpiece that was really impactful as a wake-up call for the main character.

I know I’ve compared this film to ‘Superman’ a lot, but with it being a soft continuation of that and sharing the ‘Super-‘ title, there is a lot to contrast, whether the tonal difference or the quality of the film. Nonetheless, while not living up to her cousin’s previous outing, Supergirl is still an enjoyable watch that shows what the DC Universe can be.

It’s a universe that definitely can be more. The upcoming third release in the franchise, ‘Clayface’, is set to portray a villain origin story using the body horror genre. That should, regardless of reception, surely expand the tone of this cinematic universe, assuring the audience that they will not only get the brightest of the bright but also the darkest of the dark.

A government committee studying the Land Bridge megaproject has identified its commercial viability as a critical issue, according to Danucha Pichayanan, secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC).

‘We need to determine whether the project is feasible from a commercial perspective. If it is, we can then consider the appropriate scale of development,’ he said on Friday after a meeting chaired by Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas.

Mr Danucha serves as the secretary to the panel tasked with examining approaches to driving the development of transport infrastructure linking the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea.

Expected to require an investment of close to one trillion baht, the project envisages upgraded ports in Ranong on the Andaman side and Chumphon province on the Gulf, linked by a road and rail transport network. Supporters believe it will attract shippers seeking alternatives to sailing around Singapore via the congested Strait of Malacca.

The committee is scheduled to hold its final meeting in August before submitting its conclusions to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, in line with the government’s 90-day review timeframe, said Mr Danucha.

Discussing the potential time savings compared with shipping via the Strait of Malacca, he said the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning would use data on average cargo transshipment times at the Singapore port to calculate how much time vessels could save by using the Land Bridge.

Geopolitical risks

Mr Danucha acknowledged that geopolitical risks remained an ongoing concern and could weigh on international trade and cargo transport in the coming years.

‘We need to assess the risks to Thailand, both if the project is implemented and if it is not,’ he said. ‘This is one of the key issues being examined by the project feasibility subcommittee, which I chair. We are evaluating how globalisation and geopolitical conflicts could affect Thailand.’

The committee has established three subcommittees to conduct detailed studies covering different aspects of the project: feasibility, environmental impacts, and public communications aimed at improving public understanding of the scheme.

Mr Danucha stressed that environmental impacts must be kept to a minimum while weighing the project’s overall costs and benefits.

Among the key environmental concerns are sediment and dust generated by dredging operations, particularly on the Ranong side, and the potential loss of forest areas and natural resources.

‘All aspects will be thoroughly examined and we will make an objective assessment of what is feasible, what is not, and what adjustments are needed, so that all parties can accept the outcome,’ Mr Danucha said.

Democrat Party candidate for Bangkok governor Anucha Burapachaisri has unveiled a five-point platform to tackle traffic congestion, waste management, public health, economic opportunities and government transparency, while insisting his campaign remains competitive despite trailing rivals in recent opinion polls.

Speaking in a special interview with the Bangkok Post ahead of Sunday’s gubernatorial election, Mr Anucha said his vision for Bangkok centres on five themes: “Convenient Travel, Clean City, Comfortable Living, Higher Incomes and Full Transparency”.

He said the policies address residents’ daily concerns and could be implemented immediately if he is elected governor alongside Democrat-backed members of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC).

Transportation is among his top priorities. Mr Anucha proposed transferring responsibility for Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) bus services to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), arguing that the city currently lacks the authority to respond effectively to commuters’ needs.

Under the plan, bus routes would be redesigned and integrated with other transport systems. He also proposed a feeder network to ensure residents are within 100 metres of a public transport connection, using small vehicles in narrow alleys, minibuses on secondary roads and electric buses on major routes.

The candidate also pledged to deploy artificial intelligence to manage Bangkok’s traffic-light network, allowing signals to adjust in real time to improve traffic flow.

Canal transport services would be expanded and integrated into the wider transport network. Mr Anucha also endorsed the government’s common ticketing initiative and a flat 40-baht fare, saying a unified system would allow seamless travel across buses, trains and boats.

Under his “Clean City” agenda, Mr Anucha pledged to overhaul Bangkok’s waste management system through a fully enclosed collection and disposal process.

He said waste treatment facilities in On Nut, Nong Khaem and Sai Mai still suffer from operational shortcomings that affect nearby communities.

The Democrat candidate also called for stricter waste separation measures, with food waste, plastics, metals and glass collected on designated days to encourage recycling. He further advocated replacing landfill disposal with waste-to-energy projects, arguing that Bangkok must pursue long-term solutions despite the high investment required.

On healthcare and quality of life, Mr Anucha said Bangkok’s nearly 70 public health centres should be upgraded with additional doctors and nurses to reduce pressure on major hospitals.

He also proposed expanding telemedicine services and investing in more elderly-care facilities to reduce waiting lists for nursing homes.

The candidate further proposed converting unused public and private land into community spaces, including art galleries, cultural venues and recreational areas.

On economic development, Mr Anucha pledged continued support for street food vendors, saying district offices should determine vending zones based on local conditions rather than applying uniform citywide regulations.

Registered vendors would be required to display QR codes identifying them as legitimate operators, while subleasing of vending permits would be prohibited.

Mr Anucha also proposed creating a database of senior citizens’ skills and expertise, enabling retirees to participate in city projects, assist tourists and earn supplemental income.

In addition, he plans to consolidate all BMA digital services into a single platform, allowing residents to access information on city services, tourist attractions, air quality, flooding, water levels and CCTV feeds through a single sign-on system.

The final pillar of his platform focuses on transparency. Mr Anucha said the BMA should adopt the “Song Rat” procurement-monitoring platform to scrutinise municipal spending and identify irregularities in public projects.

Despite trailing in opinion polls, Mr Anucha expressed confidence in his chances, noting that he had previously won two parliamentary elections despite never leading in surveys.

“Polls do not decide elections. The people do,” he said.

He urged voters to judge candidates on their ability to solve problems such as traffic congestion, flooding, waste management and air pollution.

“We need a clear vision for Bangkok’s future,” he said.

“Our goal is not simply to manage day-to-day problems but to deliver lasting solutions that create opportunities, hope and a better quality of life for all residents.”

The 200 billion baht the government plans to use to buy back the concessions of all electric train lines in Greater Bangkok is expected to come from two sources: the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand and fundraising through an infrastructure fund.

Tibordee Wattanakul, director-general of the State Enterprise Policy Office, said the government plans to raise funds via an infrastructure fund on a gradual basis, with 80 billion baht raised per issue until the targeted amount is reached.

He said he expects investors will be eager to buy fund units given the low risk.

Infrastructure funds often offer average yields of 6-7%, said Mr Tibordee.

Funds raised via the infrastructure fund will not be regarded as public debt, he noted.

The government’s plan to buy back the concessions of all electric train lines for a maximum of 200 billion baht is part of an effort to make public transport more affordable.

Mr Tibordee said the effort would be worthwhile if the government can manage the lines while offering low ticket prices, which should increase passenger numbers.

He said the valuation of 200 billion baht is based on the future cash flow and benefits concession owners would gain during their remaining concession periods.

If the concession buyback takes place in 2027, the remaining concession period for some lines would be shorter, especially the Green Line, as its concession ends in 2029. This could mean the total amount spent on the concession buyback would be less than 200 billion baht, said Mr Tibordee.

Some lines, particularly those on the city’s outskirts, are not profitable. If the state steps in to purchase the concessions, private operators would probably be receptive to a buyback, he said.

The Finance Ministry said earlier a precedent was set with the Thailand Future Fund, which used proceeds from the offering of investment units to invest in state infrastructure assets with the potential to generate income for the fund.

On Tuesday, the cabinet approved a common ticketing scheme for Bangkok’s electric rail services, setting fares between 17 and 45 baht per trip, depending on the distance.

Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said the move aims to ease the cost of living for commuters by introducing an integrated fare system covering all mass transit lines.

Passengers pay once upon entry and can transfer between rail services.

The government wants to launch the scheme by Jan 1, 2027, he said.

Ministry officials plan to hold discussions on establishing a central clearing house to manage fare collection across different operators.

The system will ensure seamless payments under the single-entry model, Mr Phiphat said.

“The ministry intends to have the clearing house in place for a New Year 2027 rollout,” he said.

Thai national cyclists Methasit Boonsane and Vipavee Deekaballes swept to victory in the men’s and women’s elite downhill events at the 2026 Asian Mountain Bike Championships in Uzbekistan on Wednesday.

Methasit retained his gold medal and won the Asian Championship for the fifth consecutive time, while Vipavee maintained her dominance in the category, winning the Asian title for the 10th time.

Methasit finished the final round with a time of 2:25.099 minutes in the men’s elite downhill event. Japanese cyclists Yuga Ikuta and Tesuma Hakuji took the silver and bronze medals respectively.

In the women’s elite downhill competition, Vipavee did not disappoint after she crossed the line in 2:44.843 minutes. Indonesian Milatul Khaqimah took the silver medal and Naomi Gardoce of the Philippines won the bronze medal.

Gen Decha Hemkrasri, president of the Thai Cycling Association, said, “The two downhill gold medals in the Asian Championships proved that the Thai national team are still No.1 in mountain bike downhill competition. But it is a pity that there is no downhill event in the medals competition at the 20th Asian Games in Japan. Otherwise, the Thai cycling team will have a chance to win gold from these two events.”

The 2026 Asian Mountain Bike Championships are being held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, from June 23-27.

The Transport Ministry is pushing ahead with plans to upgrade the rail transport and tourism sectors by developing a world-class luxury train service, leveraging newly enacted rail legislation to attract private-sector investment and boost local economies.

Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, accompanied by Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat, State Railway of Thailand (SRT) governor Anan Phonimdaeng, Department of Rail Transport deputy director-general Athiphu Chit-anukroh, and Piang-or Laohavilai, director of the Rail Technology Research and Development Institute, met executives from Minor International, led by chairman William Heinecke, to discuss plans for a luxury tourist train project.

The meeting focused on creating a premium rail tourism experience aimed at generating sustainable revenue for the SRT while stimulating grassroots economic activity across the country.

Mr Phiphat said the initiative aligns with the recently enacted Rail Transport Act, which opens the sector to greater private-sector participation in rail investment and operations.

He said the project would maximise the use of Thailand’s rail infrastructure, attract high-spending international travellers, and channel tourism revenue to local communities along railway routes. The Transport Ministry also plans to coordinate with the Tourism and Sports Ministry and the Tourism Authority of Thailand to develop attractive rail tourism routes linking both major and secondary destinations, incorporating local stories and cultural experiences to enhance visitor appeal.

The Customs Department is cancelling reward money for its executives from seizures of smuggled goods and imports that violate tariffs to prevent conflicts of interest, says director-general Phantong Loykulnanta.

The Ministry of Finance has finished the draft of the amended regulations on rewards to executives. The legislation will take effect immediately after publication in the Royal Gazette.

The next step will be to revoke the century-old practice of rewards for all levels of customs officials, Mr Phantong said, ensuring enforcement adheres to governance and transparency principles, while bolstering public confidence.

The change aligns with the recommendations of the government and the National Anti-Corruption Commission, which proposed the department review the reward system of law enforcement agencies.

The government and the agency have said the rewards could lead to corruption.

Thailand’s customs bounty system has existed since 1926. Prior to 2017, payouts of up to 30% of the value of a shipment were distributed to officers and informants taking part in a seizure.

Bribes for clearance

While the incentive was aimed at making sure customs officials caught violations, in practice it slowed down procedures. Officials eager to collect rewards by spotting infractions would spend inordinate amounts of time examining shipments. This gave rise to more bribes paid by importers seeking timely clearance.

Under the amended Customs Act BE 2560 (2017), officers and informants are eligible for 10% to 20% of the proceeds from the sale of seized goods or fines, or up to 10% of additional collected duties.

Total payouts for both customs officers and informants are capped at 5 million baht per case.

The new regulations prohibit senior executives and decision-making officials – level C8/C9 and above, including the director-general – from receiving any rewards from seizures.

Cancelling the reward system completely is part of Thailand’s legal and regulatory reform mission as it seeks membership in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

The OECD prioritises public governance and anti-corruption efforts.

Mr Phantong said the department is also adjusting the criteria to classify eligibility for rewards into three categories: officials who detect and seize smuggled goods, those who join a seizure, and those who assist an arrest.

The agency is also reviewing the amount of reward money to ensure it accurately reflects officials’ performance in seizures.

He said that while rewards are allowed by law, the department is ready to change the rules if it can affect law enforcement.

An open hearing will be held later this week for all stakeholders involved in the long-running Thap Lan land dispute, as the government presses ahead with plans to revise parts of the national park’s boundaries.

Speaking after meeting villagers within the disputed area at parliament, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin said he would travel to the area on Sunday to hear directly from residents, conservationists, human rights advocates and state agencies.

“We must establish the facts and remove any doubts,” he said.

“If the land belongs to villagers who lived there before the park was declared, they should be allowed to continue living and farming there. But if it is occupied by hotels or resorts, they will have to be demolished.”

The dispute centres around a government-backed proposal to remove more than 155,000 rai from the boundaries of Thap Lan National Park and place the land under agricultural reform management.

Supporters argue the move would resolve decades-long land conflicts affecting local communities, while opponents warn it could open the door to land speculation and benefit influential investors.

Mr Suchart met villagers who support the proposal and who insist many settlements there existed before Thap Lan was designated a national park in 1981.

They said residents had lived for decades under the threat of legal action for activities as basic as collecting forest products or cultivating land.

The minister said Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul had instructed him to ensure justice was served for genuine villagers while taking firm action against encroachers and business interests.

Authorities will establish a “war room” to investigate disputed areas. Land occupied by wealthy investors will not be tolerated, he said.

Mr Suchart also argued that much of the disputed land was no longer forested and had long been developed into villages and agricultural areas.

He said transferring land from national park status to agricultural reform zones would not privatise state land and that strict safeguards would prevent transfers to outsiders.

Members of the Save Thap Lan movement, which opposes the revision, were also at parliament on Wednesday and sought to submit a petition of their own.

Deputy Transport Minister Phattrapong Phattraprasit has ordered a special task force to address the growing problem of bird strikes on aircraft.

The ministry says there were 1,644 bird strike incidents last year, causing damage to engines, aircraft components, and cockpit windshields, as well as flight delays. The cost to airlines was over 530 million baht annually.

The task force will focus on scientific measures and innovative solutions to mitigate risks. Authorities said Thailand’s environment, which supports large bird populations, combined with increasing flight volumes, makes bird strikes a persistent challenge.