Category: The Bangkok Post

Nintendo has announced that Thai subtitles will be added to Donkey Kong Bananza for the Nintendo Switch 2, with players able to try out the feature at Nintendo’s booth during the upcoming Gamescom Asia × Thailand Games Show in October. The update will be free for existing owners of the game.

The move comes shortly after Nintendo revealed plans to expand its presence in Thailand with a new local subsidiary. While the company has not yet provided a specific download date for the subtitle update, it confirmed that players will eventually be able to download it at no extra cost.

At the Gamescom Asia × Thailand Games Show, taking place from October 17-19, visitors to the Nintendo booth will be able to try the Thai-language version of Donkey Kong Bananza on the Switch 2.

Nintendo stressed, however, that the addition of Thai subtitles to Donkey Kong Bananza does not mean that all of its other titles will support the language. The company said announcements will be made in advance if other games are confirmed to include Thai localisation.

The Association of Investment Management Companies (AIMC) is set to meet with the Ministry of Finance soon to propose an extension to the Super Savings Fund (SSF) tax-deduction scheme beyond its scheduled expiry later this year.

AIMC chairwoman Chavinda Hanratanakool said the SSF has played a dual role in providing tax benefits and promoting long-term savings.

“From a tax perspective, SSF deductions do not significantly impact government revenue. Therefore, the AIMC intends to push for clarity on whether an extension is possible,” she said.

“If the ministry confirms the extension, it will provide certainty for investors. If there is silence, we can assume the scheme will not be renewed.”

In the event the SSF is not extended, investors could still gain tax incentives through the upcoming Thailand Individual Savings Account (TISA) programme.

Unlike the SSF, which is limited to mutual funds, TISA is expected to cover a broader range of investment vehicles, including equities, tax-saving funds and potentially life insurance.

“TISA would allow a long-term framework for tax-deductible investment without fixed expiration dates, unlike long-term equity funds [LTFs] or SSF,” Mrs Chavinda noted.

She also confirmed that the ThaiESG fund series would be included under TISA, reinforcing its role in sustainable investment promotion.

The SSF is a tax-saving fund introduced in early 2020, following the expiration of the LTF in 2019. The fund itself is set to expire this year, with an estimated total asset under management (AUM) of 50-60 billion baht.

The SSF, according to Mrs Chavinda, has attracted long-term savings into the capital market by offering tax benefits as an incentive for retail investors.

“If the government extends the programme, it will strengthen the confidence in long-term funds.”

The challenge, however, includes the risk that investors may withdraw if the fund is not extended or if there is no policy clarity.

In comparison, the TISA scheme has greater potential than the traditional SSF because it has no expiration date, reducing policy uncertainty relative to the SSF and LTF, whose fixed-term structure encourages investors to hold them for longer periods.

Other notable advantages of the TISA include broader asset coverage because it can be designed to invest in stocks, exchange-traded funds, tax-saving funds and potentially certain life insurance products. That makes the TISA suitable for portfolio diversification.

The TISA also promotes systematic savings through mechanisms such as dollar-cost averaging, helping to shift investor behaviour from short-term deposits to long-term investment.

Besides, the TISA can provide tax incentives aligned with long-term goals. If designed with clear benefits, such as sufficiently high contribution limits and defined tax deductions, it can attract a large number of account holders.

A father who parked illegally outside a popular Bangkok school to pick up his child and reacted violently when police clamped his car has been fined and given a suspended jail sentence

The case drew wide attention after a video showed him hurling abuse at officers and toppling a police motorcycle while his young child watched from the car.

He loudly declared he had stopped ‘just five minutes’ to pick up his child.

According to the Metropolitan Police Bureau, the incident occurred about 2.25pm on Sept 26, when traffic police from Samsen station found the car stopped in a no-parking zone in front of the school.

The driver refused to move and instead angrily pushed over a police motorcycle, causing damage, before being taken into custody.

He was initially charged with failing to pay annual road tax and obstructing traffic. After confessing, the case was forwarded to the Dusit District Court, which found him guilty under Sections 91, 358 and 368 of the Criminal Code for disobeying a lawful order and causing property damage.

The court sentenced him to two months in jail, fined him 12,000 baht, and ordered he pay 10,000 baht compensation. The jail term was suspended for one year.

The partnership between the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and Etihad Airways marks a significant milestone in combining elite sport with global connectivity.

Under this collaboration, Etihad serves as the Official Global Airline Partner of the BWF, providing seamless travel and premium experiences for players, officials and fans, while amplifying badminton’s global reach. The alliance reflects both organisations’ shared mission to unite people across continents through sport, culture and shared values.

Since January 2025, the airline has connected badminton’s worldwide fan base of 744 million people, most of whom are in Asia, with its expanding network and services.

At the recent TotalEnergies BWF World Championships in Paris, BWF President Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul met with Arik De, Etihad’s Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, to celebrate the role the airline has played in elevating the sport this year.

‘To align ourselves with a global leader in air travel such as Etihad Airways signals the sport’s expanding footprint,’ Khunying Patama said. ‘Etihad’s dedication to fostering connections through sport mirrors our mission of uniting people through badminton’s universal appeal

‘We are proud to partner with a sponsor that shares our vision to elevate badminton to world-class status, and for Etihad to take an active role in developing the sport globally. Together, we aim to enhance the fan experience, elevate the sport’s visibility and deliver unforgettable experiences at our premier tournaments.’

De underlined the synergy between the two organisations. ‘Our partnership with the BWF reflects Etihad’s commitment to connecting people through sport, culture and travel,’ he said.

‘Badminton is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, uniting millions of fans across Asia and beyond. As we expand our network across Southeast Asia, we are proud to engage with badminton fans everywhere and support a sport that is so deeply loved in the region.’

Beyond celebrating the partnership, Khunying Patama herself embodies the global aspirations of the sport. A billionaire entrepreneur turned philanthropist, she has channelled her resources into sport, youth development, art, music and culture.

She became Thailand’s first female member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2017, the fourth Thai overall to hold the post. Earlier this year, she was elected by 206 national member associations as president of the BWF for the 2025-2029 term, making her not only the first Thai but also the second woman ever to lead the world body.

In Thailand, she serves as President of the Badminton Association of Thailand under Royal Patronage, where she has spearheaded grassroots development, talent-building initiatives and the hosting of world-class events.

Her influence extends well beyond sport. She is active in numerous charities supporting education, health and social development, while also serving as patron of cultural, art and music organisations.

With business interests ranging from steel and property to hospitality and logistics, Khunying Patama has long been recognised as a leading figure in both corporate and philanthropic circles. In 2024, she was honoured by the Thai Sports Journalists’ Association with the title ‘Olympic Queen’ for her contributions to Thai and international sport.

Through her leadership, generosity and vision, Khunying Patama has not only shaped the trajectory of badminton worldwide but has also inspired countless young people in Asia and beyond.

Dear Doctors: My 22-year-old son is severely bipolar, which impacts his life terribly. I have kept up with the studies that have shown success in treating bipolar with a faecal transplant. Do you know of any open studies right now that might take my son? We would travel anywhere to get it done.

Dear Reader: Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that is marked by extreme swings in mood, energy, thoughts and behaviours. These repeated shifts from intense elation to crushing depression can disrupt sleep, impede judgement and interfere with the ability to think clearly. As with many conditions that affect mental health, bipolar disorder exists on a spectrum. That means each case is unique, and symptoms vary in severity, frequency and presentation. But even in its milder forms, bipolar disorder can significantly impair quality of life.

It is common for the first indications of bipolar disorder to emerge in late adolescence and early adulthood. Diagnosis includes a mental health assessment, medical history and physical exam. Once diagnosed, treatment typically combines medications, such as mood stabilisers and perhaps antidepressants, with individual, group or family-focused psychotherapy. Due to the unpleasant side effects of some of the medications, treatment can be challenging.

The cause of bipolar disorder is not yet clearly understood. Previous research has suggested links to a mix of heredity, mental health and environmental factors. More recently, though, growing awareness of a connection between the gut microbiome and the brain is leading researchers in an intriguing new direction.

This connection, known as the gut-brain axis, is a bidirectional communication system between the trillions of microbes in the gut and the brain. An imbalance in the gut microbiome has been found to contribute to inflammation, immune system dysfunction and the production of harmful metabolites.

This imbalance, known as gut dysbiosis, has been linked to a range of neurodegenerative diseases. These include Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS.

As you have pointed out, there is evidence that gut dysbiosis may play a role in bipolar disorder as well. It is not suggested that gut dysbiosis is the sole cause of these diseases. However, some researchers believe modulating the gut microbiome may have therapeutic benefits. This may be done through diet, the use of specific prebiotics and probiotics, and faecal transplants.

This is when a person’s colon is infused with a solution containing faecal matter from a healthy donor. A few small studies have reported success in lessening the symptoms of severe bipolar disorder through fecal transplants.

We searched at clinicaltrials.gov, the United States National Institutes of Health’s clinical trials database. At this time, there do not appear to be any new or ongoing investigations into the use of fecal transplants to manage bipolar disorder. However, several bipolar studies are exploring probiotics. You may find it useful to browse all of the studies listed on the site associated with bipolar disorder. Even if none are right for your son, they are an excellent way to keep abreast of new directions in research. Universal Features Syndicate