Category: The Bangkok Post

The cabinet has approved a common ticketing scheme for Bangkok’s electric rail services, setting fares at 17 to 45 baht per trip, depending on distance, Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said on Tuesday.

Mr Phiphat, a deputy prime minister, said the move was aimed at easing the cost of living for commuters by introducing an integrated fare system covering all lines in the mass-transit rail network.

Passengers will pay only once, on entry, and be able to transfer between rail services.

The government is looking to launch the scheme by Jan 1, 2027.

Mr Phiphat said ministry officials will 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 fare model.

‘We intend to have the clearing house mechanism in place in time for a New Year 2027 roll out,’ he said.

Under the proposed fare structure, passengers will pay from 17 baht a trip to a maximum 45 baht, no matter how many times they change lines in reaching their destination.

About 10 people, mostly government officials, were arrested at a house in Nonthaburi province for allegedly rigging nationwide exam results of government officials who paid billions of baht in total to the gang.

Police and National Anti-Corruption Commission officials raided the house in tambon Bang Len of Bang Yai district at 6pm on Monday. There were about 10 people on the premises, mostly government officials, along with 18 computers and the answer sheets of about 3,000 examination participants.

The suspects were allegedly tampering with the answer sheets to ensure applicants passed the local government entrance exam held nationwide in February last year, when the Department of Local Administration was recruiting 6,669 officials.

The gang allegedly charged exam sitters from 350,000 to 800,000 baht each, depending on the desired position. They were paid to rig the answer sheets of about 3,000 exam candidates, and had already done so for about 2,000 applicants, according to police.

The investigation was ongoing.

Deputy Interior Minister Worasit Liangprasit said investigators would determine if any officials of the Department of Local Administration conspired in rigging the exam results.

He believed that even more candidates had paid the gang to ensure they passed. In all, about 100,000 people have sat the examination.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said it was totally unacceptable and he had ordered that any civil servants involved receive maximum punishment.

Interior permanent secretary Unsit Sampuntharat also harshly condemned the exam cheats.

People’s Party MP Parit Wacharasindhu on Tuesday hit back at the prime minister’s denial of political persecution against his party, saying the public should be the judge.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Monday rejected claims that the People’s Party was being targeted after the Department of Special Investigation said it was looking into possible links between MP Pawoot Pongvitayapanu and a major foreign-exchange scam.

Mr Pawoot has denied any connection to the illegal network and said he looks forward to telling investigators his side.

Mr Parit, meanwhile, said the opposition remained focused on four major issues that it believes affect the country’s interests and the integrity of the justice system.

The first concerns alleged collusion in the 2024 Senate election. Mr Parit said the case could have implications beyond the senators’ own status, citing information suggesting possible links to several influential figures in the Bhumjaithai-led government.

He said the public should also watch to see whether the case will proceed to court, or whether the Election Commission would take any action that could be seen as limiting the scope of the investigation.

The second issue concerns a petition seeking an independent inquiry into the National Anti-Corruption Commission’s dismissal of a case of share concealment involving former transport minister Saksayam Chidchob.

The opposition’s third concern is the Interior Ministry’s handling of calls for a disciplinary investigation into the director-general of the Department of Provincial Administration.

Narucha Khosasivilai has been linked to text messages sent to a Line group of civil servants asking them to ‘help the blue’ – a reference to the Bhumjaithai Party – during the February election.

The fourth is the transparency of the TSI Passport project under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, which opposition lawmakers have alleged could improperly benefit private interests.

The TSI Passport (Tambon System Integration) system was designed to link local sub-district data into a centralised platform, but it has faced heavy political scrutiny over procurement and resource duplication.

Meanwhile, Bangkok MP Bhuntin Noumjerm urged authorities to continue expanding their investigation into the Senate election collusion case, arguing that the eight suspects currently named in the DSI case file represented only part of a wider network.

According to Mr Bhuntin, documents returned by prosecutors to the DSI indicate that additional individuals, including organisers and decision-makers, may not yet have been identified publicly.

Twenty-two illegal workers, mostly Chinese, were arrested at a construction site in Muang district on Tuesday, as investigators expanded their probe to include nominee ownership of the companies employing them.

They were taken into custody from the work site in tambon Chalong during an inspection led by deputy governor Pol Capt Khettharat Chansin.

All failed to present work permits or identification documents when asked and were taken to the provincial office of the Internal Security Operations Command, where they were identified as 19 Chinese and 3 Myanmar nationals.

Deputy governor Khettharat said there were many recent cases in the province involving foreigners working illegally, especially Chinese working and supervising at construction sites.

On Saturday, a major crackdown on illegal foreign nominee businesses in three southern provinces, including Phuket, had resulted the arrest of 48 Thai and foreign suspects.

Therefore, the investigaion must go beyond the suspects working without permits, Pol Capt Khettharat said.

Authorities would examine the structure of the companies employing them, including shareholders and sources of invested money, to determine if there was any nominee activity involved.

The province would also apply the original “Phuket Model’ solution to suppressing foreigner- crimes. It would help identify the masterminds and the ultimate beneficiaries of the crimes, the deputy governor said.

Anyone doing business legally had nothing to fear.

Phuket deputy police chief Pol Col Passakorn Sonthikul said investigators would also dig into the entry routes they used, identify those involved in bringing them here, and use the latest technology to review and verify past travel records.

The Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry has reconfirmed its intention to launch its TH-AI Passport project no later than July, as originally planned, despite widespread criticism.

The government plans to give five million Thai citizens a year free access to premium AI tools through a 1.6-billion-baht programme called TH-AI Passport. The proposal is controversial and widely debated on social media.

Deputy digital minister Nan Boonthida Somchai said the ministry had no hesitation in moving forward with the project, including a screening process for people wanting to join up.

The ministry had completed the project’s procurement process in legal compliance with relevant policies and procurement protocol.

During the first phase, the government planned to spend around 1.6 billion baht to procure professional and premium generative artificial intelligence models.

The DES-led project has attracted criticism on several fronts, including budget allocation, cost efficiency and the procurement process. The ministry recently held an extra public hearing to clarify doubts of the details.

Digital permanent secretary Patchara Anantasilp recently addressed a joint sitting of two House committees on concerns surrounding the project’s accelerated implementation and procurement process, and potential links between the winning consortium and politically connected business interests.

Mr Patchara said earlier that the ministry had held negotiations with the TH-AI Passport contractors about adjusting the project to include a pay-per-use concept.

Thailand has set an ambitious goal of escaping the middle-income trap and attaining high-income status within the next 12 years, under targets announced after the inaugural meeting of the Joint Public-Private Consultative Committee on Monday.

The initiative also aims to place Thailand among the world’s top 20 countries for competitiveness by 2030, while accelerating growth and investment through closer public-private cooperation.

Speaking after the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said the government and private sector had jointly established a framework to strengthen the economy over the short, medium and long term.

“The conclusions drawn from consultations with the private sector have been developed into economic strategies for the short, medium and long term. Most importantly, they are designed to enable Thailand to sustainably escape the middle-income trap,” he said.

Under the medium-term plan, the government aims to lift Thailand’s global competitiveness ranking into the top 20 by 2030 and raise economic growth potential above 3%, from a current estimated 2.7%.

Mr Ekniti likened the approach to a football team, with government and business working together as defenders, midfielders and forwards toward a common goal rather than operating separately as in the past.

The “defence” function would focus on macroeconomic stability and fiscal discipline to reinforce investor confidence and shield the economy from global volatility. He said Thailand’s financial discipline over the past seven to eight months had helped preserve its stable credit standing despite turbulence in international markets.

The “midfield” role would strengthen key infrastructure. These areas — reliable electricity supplies, adequate water resources, accessible clean-energy systems, digital and artificial intelligence readiness, legal reform and human capital development — are intended to provide the foundation for future economic expansion.

The “forward” line would drive income through seven sectors: high-quality agriculture and food, next-generation vehicles, AI-linked smart electronics, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, wellness tourism, trade and logistics, and the creative economy.

“Our objective is to establish a clear GPS so that everyone shares the same vision of taking Thailand into the world’s top 20 for competitiveness by 2030,” Mr Ekniti said. “This will be achieved through integrated cooperation between government agencies and private operators, who will not only identify problems but work together to solve them.”

The government has also identified four key economic engines.

The first centres on attracting future industries through the Thailand Fast Pass scheme and developing Thailand as a regional financial hub, while advancing the green economy and modernising the automotive industry.

The second focuses on tourism, healthcare, food security, processed agriculture, the creative economy, wholesale and retail trade, and faster free trade agreement negotiations to strengthen Thailand’s position as a regional production and trading hub.

The third emphasises human capital and innovation. The government plans to improve education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, support research and innovation, promote start-ups, and expand upskilling and reskilling programmes, particularly in AI-related fields.

The fourth aims to remove bureaucratic obstacles through digital government services, greater transparency, anti-corruption measures and improved management of public assets.

The government is considering a 15-day visa exemption for Indian travellers and a 30-day exemption for all European Union (EU) countries, while assessing that easing geopolitical tensions could lift tourism revenue this year back to 2025 levels.

Meanwhile, a new phase of the domestic tourism co-payment scheme is set to launch, with discounts for 1 million hotel room-nights, Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said on Tuesday.

He said that revisions to visa rules for certain countries would be proposed at the next meeting of the visa policy committee, overseen by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The cabinet on May 19 approved scrapping 60-day visa-free entry for travellers from 93 countries and introduced new entry rules for each country. However, the measure has yet to take effect as it requires publication in the Royal Gazette, leaving room for amendments.

Mr Surasak said the next visa committee meeting would consider granting a 15-day visa exemption for Indian travellers, who currently must apply for a visa on arrival.

Some EU countries that currently receive no entry privileges would be granted the same treatment as other EU member states: Croatia, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Malta.

The reduction in visa exemptions should not have a negative impact on the tourism industry, particularly as geopolitical tensions have eased following an interim peace agreement between the US and Iran, Mr Surasak said.

The ministry expects foreign tourism revenue this year to remain on par with last year, reaching 1.53 trillion baht from 32.9 million visitors.

For domestic tourism, the ministry is drafting a proposal for a new phase of the co-payment scheme, with funding expected from the 2027 central budget that will take effect on Oct 1.

He said the initial budget would be similar to previous phases at around 3 billion baht, offering 3,000 baht per room night, which can be claimed via the Paotang mobile app. The project is expected to begin in October.

Details of the project still require refinement as the ministry is establishing a new tourism promotional policy committee, bringing together representatives from the private sector and agencies under the ministry, said Mr Surasak.

Other pending incentives for foreign travellers, such as free domestic air tickets or subsidies for chartered flights, could be considered once the committee is formed.

Weekday focus

Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, president of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), said that if the government can offer the hotel subsidy scheme within the final quarter, it will help absorb a substantial portion of travel costs for Thais, as room rates in the high season are expected to rise as global tensions ease.

He said the scheme should focus on weekday bookings and provide more attractive incentives for destinations other than Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya and Chiang Mai.

‘There are many provinces categorised as first-tier locations, making them ineligible to receive privileges similar to second-tier destinations. But these first-tier areas are not posting strong tourism performances like key cities,’ he said.

La-iad Bungsrithong, a THA board adviser, said the government should also consider reviving tax deductions for tourism expenses.

This measure is one of the most effective tools to increase domestic spending for both individual travellers and corporations, particularly when taxpayers are encouraged to spend in order to receive specific benefits tailored for them, she said.

The Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC) and City Mountain Bike (CTM) officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Monday to promote and develop Extreme Cross-Country (XCE) mountain bike racing throughout Asia.

The agreement is likely to lay the foundation for a sustainable competition network and create new opportunities for athletes, event organisers and host cities in the future.

The strategic partnership agreement was signed by Amarjit Singh Gill, President of the Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC), and Christophe Brunnel, Chief Executive Officer of City Mountain Bike (CTM). Witnessing the ceremony was Gen Decha Hemkrasri, ACC vice president and chief of the Thai Cycling Association.

Speaking at the ceremony, Gill expressed his appreciation to the Thai association for hosting the signing event and highlighted the immense potential of XCE racing in Asia.

“Extreme Cross-Country is an exciting and innovative discipline that brings mountain biking into urban environments. We believe this format has enormous growth potential, not only in Europe but also throughout Asia. Mountain bike racing, particularly the Eliminator format, is already gaining popularity and presents significant opportunities for further development in our region,” he said.

Gill noted that one of the greatest strengths of XCE is its ability to bring cycling directly to the public by staging competitions in city centres, community spaces, public parks and shopping districts, rather than in remote off-road locations.

The ACC President also emphasised the value of City Mountain Bike events in promoting sports tourism.

Brunnel stressed that youth development remains at the heart of the project.

“Young people are the future of cycling. Through Eliminator racing, we bring an exciting and spectator-friendly competition format into the heart of cities, allowing people to experience cycling up close and understand what our sport is truly about,” he said.

Gen Decha welcomed the initiative and described it as positive news for Asian cycling.

He noted that through the leadership of ACC president Gill, Thailand has been selected as one of the countries set to host City Mountain Bike events in Asia, alongside Malaysia and other potential destinations.

“Thailand offers outstanding tourism resources and excellent infrastructure. Traditionally, mountain bike and Eliminator competitions were held outside urban areas, but this concept brings the sport directly into cities, creating attractive events that can support tourism promotion,” Gen Decha said.

Extreme Cross-Country (XCE) is a short-format mountain bike discipline contested on compact urban courses featuring both natural and man-made obstacles, including jumps, stair sections, tight corners and technical features that challenge riders’ skills.

Immigration police in Pattaya have arrested a South Korean national accused of distributing explicit videos online and possessing a large cache of illicit drugs, marking a major bust in a nationwide crackdown on transnational crime.

The operation was part of a broader campaign ordered by national police chief Pol Gen Kittharath Punpetch targeting foreign criminal networks in major tourist destinations. Acting on intelligence, officers from Immigration Division 3 obtained a search warrant from the Pattaya Municipal Court and raided a local condominium unit on Sunday.

During the raid, authorities arrested a 30-year-old South Korean man identified only as “Dong-geun,” who investigators allege operated an X account to post sexually explicit videos featuring himself and Thai women.

Officers also discovered a substantial supply of narcotics inside the condominium, including 21.3g of crystal meth, 304.3g of ketamine, 296 ecstasy tablets, and nine etomidate vape pods.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has denied allegations that the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is being used to discredit the main opposition People’s Party (PP) following an investigation into list-MP Pawoot Pongvitayapanu over alleged links to a forex scam.

Speaking at Government House on Monday, Mr Anutin dismissed claims that the probe was politically motivated, insisting he has no intention of weaponising the agency.

“If I were trying to politically harass people, many others would have already been targeted. I have never thought of doing such things,” he said.

When asked whether the case was retaliation for Mr Pawoot’s recent criticism of the government’s TH-AI Passport project, Mr Anutin said legal procedures must simply run their course.

Meanwhile, Mr Pawoot stated on Facebook that he is gathering documents to clarify the allegations with the DSI and pledged full cooperation.

He noted that because the incident occurred several years ago, collecting records from financial institutions to brief both the DSI and his party will take some time.

The controversy erupted after the DSI named Mr Pawoot during a progress report on its investigation into illegal forex investment networks.

PP leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut said on Monday that Mr Pawoot has already addressed the matter publicly and is ready to cooperate with authorities.

However, he noted that the party is waiting for clearer details from the DSI regarding the exact nature of the allegations, emphasising that Mr Pawoot remains only a suspect at this stage.

PP secretary-general Picharn Chaowapattanawong stated that while the party has strict internal disciplinary procedures and will not protect anyone found guilty of wrongdoing, the timing of the leak raises concerns.

He said that the PP had recently intensified its scrutiny of the TH-AI Passport project, raising fears that the DSI’s allegations are a targeted attempt to undermine Mr Pawoot’s credibility.