Category: The Bangkok Post

Authorities have postponed a plan to impose higher electricity rates on large households with heavy consumption, citing the need to revise how power bills are calculated, says Energy Minister Akanat Promphan.

The new electricity prices were proposed by the Energy Regulatory Commission last month and slated for enforcement in July. They are based on progressive power tariff rates, which increase when people use more electricity.

Small households consuming 1-200 units of electricity are charged between 2.34 and 3 baht per unit, while larger households using 201 units or more face a higher rate of 4.96-5.45 baht per unit.

“The new rates are not appropriate,” said Mr Akanat, citing negative reactions from various groups of people following a public hearing last week.

“Big families don’t rack up high electricity bills because they’re wasteful — it’s usually because there are more people living in the house and that naturally drives up power use.”

Officials are required to review the new power tariff rates, he said.

Businesses and households currently pay for electricity at an average rate of 3.95 baht per unit, applicable until August this year.

Mr Akanat said the government will continue subsidising electricity costs for households consuming no more than 200 units. The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) will be asked to subsidise the power prices, he noted.

Egat already registered a loss of 36 billion baht as of April due to its past subsidy programmes.

Energy officials have proposed three ways to reduce power tariff rates for people.

First, the Metropolitan Electricity Authority and the Provincial Electricity Authority need to reduce their spending on street lights, which have been passed onto the public, according to Mr Akanat.

Next, the state electricity agencies must amend conditions for power purchase agreements with renewable power companies, which were given the right to sell electricity to the government at high tariff rates.

This spending, together with expenditure on other energy-related purposes under state policy, comprises 4% of the power tariff paid by people, according to energy officials.

Finally, electricity-hungry data centres must be charged a separate electricity rate and draw on the nation’s surplus power supply, absorbing a portion of the financial burden that would otherwise fall on households.

The government’s 1.6-billion-baht TH-AI Passport project could become a focus of a no-confidence debate, according to the People’s Party, which says other projects overseen by the Bhumjaithai Party have followed a similar pattern.

The opposition alleges irregularities in procurement, pricing and project design, but the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society has insisted the scheme complies with regulations and offers value for money.

Pawoot Pongvitayapanu, a People’s Party list MP with a background in technology and online entrepreneurship, questioned the origins of the project, which aims to expand public access to artificial intelligence tools through funding from the Digital Economy and Society Development Fund.

He said the project’s scale appeared to have been determined by the amount of money remaining in the fund rather than by real public demand.

Mr Pawoot said the government first allocated the entire 1.6-billion-baht budget and then calculated a target of five million users based on estimated annual AI usage costs.

‘The target did not originate from an assessment of what people actually need,’ he said on Wednesday.

The MP also raised concerns over the project’s terms of reference, claiming specifications appeared tailored to benefit certain businesses.

Although the scheme focuses on AI services, he questioned why the terms included requirements related to advertising systems in about 1,500 convenience stores and roughly 6,000 display screens nationwide.

Mr Pawoot said companies involved in setting reference prices and participating in the bidding process had links to the retail advertising sector, raising suspicions that the procurement process may have been designed to favour specific operators.

He said a similar pattern had emerged in projects managed by ministries previously overseen by the Bhumjaithai Party, citing programmes under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation and the Ministry of Education.

The lawmaker also criticised the procurement timetable, noting that invitations for bids were announced on Dec 24 during the Christmas and year-end holiday period. He said the process moved unusually quickly, with bidding closing only weeks later.

‘The project was opened and closed in just 34 days,’ he said, suggesting potential bidders would have needed prior knowledge of the project to prepare proposals in time.

Reports have circulated online that SET-listed Plan B Media Plc developed an Android app called AI Passport, which appeared briefly in the Google Play store before being taken down in October last year.

People who had a chance to review the app said its features were very similar to the TH-AI Passport that was first proposed to the economic cabinet on Nov 8.

Plan B subsequently issued a statement clarifying that it is not involved in the government’s project, nor was it a contracting party or participant in the procurement process.

Thailand’s average household income declined in 2025, while lower-income households increasingly relied on financial assistance, according to several research institutions.

The latest study by SCB EIC, a research centre under Siam Commercial Bank, reveals that the average household income in 2025 stood at 28,308 baht per month, a 2.5% decrease from the previous surveyed figure of 29,030 baht in 2023.

This marks the first decline in six years, primarily driven by a 4.8% contraction in earned income, reflecting the fragility of the labour market and the concentration of household income among high-income households amid a slowly recovering economy over the past several years.

The EIC analysis is based on the 2025 Household Socio-Economic Survey conducted by the National Statistical Office (NSO), which covered 57,600 households nationwide.

The study also found that Thai households are relying more heavily on financial assistance, particularly those in lower-income segments.

Financial assistance includes old-age and disability allowances, as well as other forms of aid provided by the government and various organisations. It also covers financial support from individuals outside the household.

‘Household income derived from financial assistance increased by 19.4% in 2025 compared with 2023. Meanwhile, 60% of lower-income households — those earning no more than 15,000 baht per month — relied on financial assistance,’ EIC reported.

At the same time, the debt burden among lower-income households increased by 1.9% in 2025 from 2023. More than 50% of indebted households reported having insufficient income to cover their expenses, while more than two-thirds experienced income shortfalls.

Meanwhile, middle-income households, defined as those earning less than 50,000 baht per month, faced growing financial pressure from both essential living expenses and debt obligations.

As a result, this group is likely to face tighter liquidity and a reduced ability to cope with rising living costs in 2026, with inflation expected to accelerate.

EIC stated that rising household vulnerability could weigh on domestic consumption over the longer term. In the short term, the government’s 400-billion-baht emergency loan decree is expected to help ease pressure on household spending.

Over the longer term, however, the government should focus on improving household income, enhancing labour skills and strengthening household financial resilience, the research institution suggested.

Disproportionate impact

Separately, Bnomics, a digital research platform under Bangkok Bank, reported that uneven labour income growth has disproportionately affected lower-income groups, despite Thailand’s GDP per capita continuing to rise over the past decade.

GDP per capita increased from 221,195 baht in 2016 to 288,315 baht in 2025, representing average annual growth of 3%, compared with average annual GDP growth of 1.1% over the same period.

According to NSO data, the top 10% of income earners accounted for 32% of total labour income in 2023, while the bottom 50% received only 22% combined. Workers in the top 10% earned an average of 36,706 baht per month, compared with 2,635 baht for those in the bottom 10% — a gap of nearly 14 times.

Meanwhile, a Bank of Thailand study found that the ratio of labour income to GDP declined from 49% during 2001-05 to 44% during 2016-23.

The decline was attributed to various factors, including changes in labour productivity, automation, demographic shifts, evolving consumer lifestyles, an ageing society, rising household debt and other structural challenges.

‘Although GDP per capita and overall economic growth have increased, lower-income groups have not experienced a corresponding improvement in their quality of life,’ Bnomics noted.

Thailand holds a strong advantage over Cambodia in the maritime dispute process under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), says Senator Nophadol In-na.

He cited the appointment of two former presidents of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) to assist Thailand’s case.

Speaking at parliament on Wednesday, Mr Nophadol, who chairs the Senate’s Foreign Affairs Advisory Committee, welcomed the cabinet’s decision to appoint Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow to lead Thailand’s delegation in the compulsory conciliation process.

He said the delegation possesses extensive diplomatic and legal expertise and is well prepared to work together throughout the proceedings.

The senator also expressed confidence in Thailand’s nomination of South African international law expert Judge Albert Hoffmann and German jurist Judge Rdiger Wolfrum as conciliators, adding both possess the required expertise and experience, having previously served as ITLOS presidents.

One of the judges also took part in the compulsory conciliation case between Timor-Leste and Australia, a landmark maritime dispute in which Timor-Leste ultimately secured a favourable outcome.

He said Timor-Leste’s decision to appoint the judge reflected his outstanding reputation and expertise.

Mr Nophadol said Thailand would not be disadvantaged in the proceedings and could even hold a stronger position. All conciliators involved are highly respected figures with considerable international credibility and can be trusted to adhere strictly to Unclos rules.

Asked about Cambodia’s proposal to discuss benefit-sharing arrangements before maritime boundaries are formally established, he said Thailand would likely oppose the plan because it would be impossible to determine the extent of any overlapping claims without clearly defined boundaries.

Mr Nophadol said the committee would respond promptly to misinformation or false statements from foreign sources that could damage the reputation of Thailand’s legislative bodies, particularly the Senate.

He said the dispute could be resolved through international legal mechanisms, adding the 2001 MoU failed because Cambodia’s claimed boundaries were not established in line with international principles.

Diverse community representatives have expressed their hopes for the incoming Bangkok governor, urging decisive action to address long-standing urban challenges.

Sanga Ruangwattanakul, president of the Khao San Road Business Association, said stricter management of sidewalks was needed. He called for proper regulation of street vendors, particularly in business and tourism districts.

Mr Sanga said the city administration should establish a transparent registration system for vendors and ensure permit holders are the actual operators of stalls.

“Authorities should stop relying on fines that do not solve the problem at its root,” he said. “Street vending spaces in popular tourist areas are highly sought after. They should be reserved for people with low incomes who genuinely need them, not individuals who obtain permits only to sublease them at higher prices.”

He said effective regulation would improve cleanliness in tourist areas and create additional revenue streams for City Hall that could be reinvested in tourism development and public services.

He also highlighted air quality as a pressing concern. He urged the next governor to take stronger action against PM2.5 pollution, saying the capital should be able to achieve cleaner air through strict enforcement of environmental regulations. “If people are encouraged to exercise in parks but still have to breathe polluted air, then those campaigns lose their meaning,” he said.

Environmental advocate Alexander Rendell, also an actor and chief executive of the Environmental Education Centre Thailand, echoed concerns about pollution and waste management, describing them as public health issues rather than merely environmental ones.

“Clean air is a basic right,” he said. “Some people can avoid pollution by staying indoors with air conditioning, but many others have no choice except to spend their days outside. That is why this issue should be among the city’s highest priorities.”

He said Bangkok needs a governor willing to confront difficult problems and focus on improving residents’ quality of life rather than serving political interests.

Looking beyond immediate environmental concerns, he identified three major priorities for the city’s future: corruption, education and environmental sustainability.

Corruption remains a significant obstacle to development, he said, because it undermines public trust and weakens the effectiveness of government projects. Education, meanwhile, forms the foundation for future generations, while greener public spaces and safer outdoor environments would encourage healthier lifestyles and greater community engagement.

Sompong Patpui, secretary-general of the Grassroots Development Foundation and a board member of the Duang Prateep Foundation, said many Bangkok governors have entered office with good intentions but have struggled to deliver results due to weaknesses in the administrative system.

“The governor cannot do everything alone,” he said. “There must be a capable team to follow through on policies and ensure they reach the implementation stage. Otherwise, instructions disappear once they enter the bureaucracy.”

Without effective monitoring and accountability mechanisms, promising policies often fail to produce tangible outcomes, he said. He also highlighted that several of Bangkok’s chronic problems require structural solutions.

Among the most important are city planning, public participation and governance, he said. Urban planning decisions often involve competing interests, making reform difficult. However, poor planning affects everything from transport and housing to environmental management.

At the same time, residents must be given meaningful opportunities to participate in decision-making processes. Governance and transparency are equally important, he added, noting persistent public complaints about procurement practices that lead to expensive yet low-quality projects.

Consumer rights advocate Narumol Mekborisut, deputy director of consumer protection at the Foundation for Consumers, pointed to the growing economic pressures facing Bangkok’s urban poor.

She said many low-income residents, particularly elderly people, have become trapped in informal debt due to rising living costs, including food, transportation and housing expenses.

Ms Narumol also criticised shortcomings in public transport, saying that route reductions and inadequate bus services have increased commuting costs for many residents.

Some are forced to take multiple connections or rely on taxis when seeking medical treatment.

She called on the next governor to work with relevant agencies to improve transport links within neighbourhoods, particularly in smaller roads and residential communities where residents often lack convenient access to public transport.

A rights group has called on a House committee to support bail for detained political activist Ekachai Hongkangwan, citing serious health concerns and fears his case could mirror past controversial deaths in custody linked to inadequate medical treatment.

The People’s Amnesty Network (PAN) submitted a petition yesterday to Rangsiman Rome, a party-list MP from the opposition People’s Party and chairman of the House Committee on Legal Affairs, Justice and Human Rights.

Ekachai has been in custody since the Court of Appeal on Sept 5 last year overturned a Criminal Court acquittal and sentenced him to 21 years in prison on charges of attempting to endanger the liberty of Her Majesty the Queen.

Nattathida Meewangpla, representing PAN, said activists have visited Ekachai weekly since his detention and that repeated requests for temporary release had been denied.

Ekachai, 50, first sought permission for a medical examination at the Corrections Hospital on Sept 28 last year but was not transferred there until late March.

Multiple strokes

Subsequent examinations found he was suffering from an enlarged prostate, enlarged liver and spleen, while he also reportedly suffered multiple strokes in April.

PAN questioned why treatment had not continued following the diagnosis and called for his transfer to Rajavithi Hospital or Thammasat University Hospital, arguing the Corrections Hospital lacks the specialist facilities needed for his care.

The group also raised concerns Ekachai’s case could resemble that of Ampon Tangnoppakul, known as ‘Akong’, who died in prison in 2012 while serving a sentence for lese-majeste and computer crime offences.

In May 2024, activist Netiporn ‘Bung’ Sanesangkhom, 28, died while on a hunger strike behind bars to protest against the denial of bail for dozens of people charged with political offences.

The PAN activists said their campaign was aimed not only at helping Ekachai but also at ensuring access to healthcare for all inmates.

Noraset Nanongtoom, an adviser to the committee chairman, said prisoners are entitled to healthcare under Section 55 of the Corrections Act.

The Department of Corrections has the authority to transfer inmates to outside hospitals when specialised treatment is required or prison-based care is insufficient.

Mr Rangsiman said access to healthcare for prisoners should be guaranteed as a matter of principle, adding all inmates deserve adequate treatment regardless of their background.

Motorcade incident

Ekachai is one of five people who had their acquittals overturned on appeal in September 2025 and were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 16 to 21 years for obstructing a royal motorcade during a pro-democracy protest in October 2020.

They have appealed to the Supreme Court, which denied their request for bail, citing the seriousness of the charges, according to Thai Lawyers for Human Rights.

The charges were laid under the rarely used Section 110 of the Criminal Code – endangering the safety of the Queen – that allows for the death sentence in the most egregious cases.

The Court of First Instance, in its acquittal ruling in 2023, cited witness testimony indicating that everyone – police and protesters included – appeared to have been caught off-guard by the sudden appearance of the motorcade approaching Phitsanulok Road near Government House.

In the resulting confusion, as police tried to gain control of the situation, demonstrators directed their anger against the police, not the royal procession, witnesses said.

Eighteen people were arrested on Thursday while attempting to steal underground copper cables belonging to National Telecom in Muang district, posing as telecommunications employees wearing custom-made uniforms.

The arrests took place at around 1am on Sawanvitee Road in front of the Fairyland department store in tambon Pak Nampho, after police were alerted to suspicious activity, said Pol Col Phumrapee Phalaphum, superintendent of the Muang Nakhon Sawan station.

Authorities also seized five vehicles used in the operation and a large quantity of cable-cutting equipment from the suspects, both men and women.

The seized vehicles included pickup trucks, sedans and a truck for transporting the stolen cables. One had been fitted with a rescue foundation logo sticker to appear legitimate and avoid scrutiny from both the public and authorities.

Investigators found that the group was a large, professional gang from eastern Thailand and had been operating across several provinces in the central region, Pol Col Phumraphee said.

Police said the culprits had even invested in custom-made uniforms bearing the name of a private telecom company, allowing them to open manholes and cut copper cables without attracting suspicion.

Further investigation revealed that the company did not actually exist.

An investigative source said the suspects had rented rooms at a resort in the district since June 15 and began stealing telephone cables to extract and sell the copper, which has high market value.

The gang had reportedly completed one successful theft previously, earning more than 300,000 baht, before returning to commit a second.

When police surrounded the area, some of the cables had already been cut, but had not yet been pulled from the conduit. The operation prevented damage estimated at more than 10 million baht, Pol Col Phumrephee said.

An employee of National Telecom said that all of the telephone cables inside the underground conduits had already been decommissioned and were in the process of being gradually removed and returned to the state enterprise.

NT later discovered irregularities when sections of underground cable were found missing from several locations. They alerted police and closely monitored the situation.

Police believed the 18 suspects were part of a larger cable-theft network, which may operate in separate teams across different provinces. Investigators suspect there are higher-level organisers who direct the operation.

The investigation is expanding to link the case to similar incidents in other locations, police said.

Thailand must urgently strengthen its “communication sovereignty” to protect national interests in an increasingly borderless digital environment dominated by global technology platforms and emerging low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite networks, according to AM Thanapant Raicharoen, commissioner of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC).

“Threats to national security have evolved far beyond conventional military confrontations,” he said, adding that cybercrime, call centre scams, and online fraud continue to inflict substantial economic damage.

“Thailand now faces a more subtle but potentially far-reaching challenge: the erosion of communication sovereignty.”

Communication sovereignty refers to the ability of a nation and its citizens to control, govern and protect their communication systems, information flows and digital infrastructure from external influence or domination.

AM Thanapant said that in the digital era, communication sovereignty has become as strategically important as territorial sovereignty was in previous generations.

As over-the-top (OTT) platforms, artificial intelligence (AI) and LEO satellite networks continue to transform the communications landscape, communication sovereignty is rapidly emerging as one of the defining telecom and national security challenges confronting Thailand in the coming decade, he said.

DIGITAL BORDERS

According to AM Thanapant, communication sovereignty encompasses four critical dimensions.

The first is infrastructure sovereignty, which concerns a country’s ability to oversee and maintain control over strategic telecommunications assets, including submarine cables, mobile networks, satellite systems, cloud infrastructure and domestic data centres.

As global technology companies increasingly expand beyond online platforms into connectivity services, this issue is becoming more pressing.

Particular attention is being paid to the rapid development of direct-to-consumer broadband services delivered through LEO satellite constellations.

Unlike traditional telecommunications models, these networks can provide internet access directly to end users without relying extensively on local terrestrial infrastructure or domestic service providers.

“If global operators are able to provide end-to-end communications services directly to consumers, countries may gradually lose influence over key layers of their digital ecosystem,” AM Thanapant noted.

The second dimension is data sovereignty.

Data has emerged as a strategic national asset comparable to energy resources in previous industrial eras. Massive volumes of personal, behavioural and economic data generated by Thai users are increasingly stored and processed on infrastructure controlled by multinational tech corporations.

Without appropriate safeguards, Thailand risks losing control over how such data is collected, utilised and monetised, AM Thanapant said.

The third dimension is regulatory sovereignty.

He said governments must retain the ability to enforce national laws and regulations in the digital environment, including measures addressing illegal content, misinformation, cybercrime and platform accountability.

Regulators worldwide are struggling to overcome jurisdictional limitations when dealing with global OTT platforms whose operations often extend beyond national legal frameworks.

The challenge for policymakers is to establish effective regulatory mechanisms that preserve public interests while maintaining an open and competitive digital economy.

The fourth dimension concerns content and cultural sovereignty.

As AI increasingly powers recommendation systems and content-distribution algorithms, global digital platforms are exerting unprecedented influence over how information is consumed, interpreted and shared.

Such influence extends beyond commerce and entertainment, potentially affecting public opinion, cultural values and political discourse.

“Today’s algorithms do not merely determine what people watch. They increasingly shape what people know, what they believe and, ultimately, how they think,” AM Thanapant said.

He said Thailand remains heavily dependent on foreign technology ecosystems, ranging from social media and streaming platforms to cloud services and emerging satellite communications networks.

The country’s reliance on foreign-controlled platforms, infrastructure and digital services could expose it to external influence, data leakage and diminished regulatory authority, he added.

STRATEGIC RESPONSE

AM Thanapant said there are three priorities Thailand should adopt, with the first accelerating the development of domestic digital capabilities in order to reduce excessive dependence on foreign providers.

Secondly, regulators should adopt proactive and appropriate governance frameworks for OTT platforms and emerging digital services.

Finally, Thailand should deepen regional cooperation to enhance collective bargaining power when engaging with global technology companies and transnational digital service providers, said AM Thanapant.

“The communication sovereignty should not be interpreted as digital isolationism, but rather as ensuring Thailand maintains sufficient strategic autonomy to protect national interests in a highly interconnected world,” he said.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has expressed concern about the economic impacts of the El Niño phenomenon, especially in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), and called for accelerated efforts to increase water reserves in the eastern region.

According to government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek, water demand in the EEC region – Chon Buri, Rayong and Chachoengsao provinces – is projected to nearly double from current levels next year.

The EEC is already home to a number of data centres, most of them modest in scale, but a handful of major projects are in the pipeline, which is pushing up demand for uninterrupted, industrial-grade water for cooling systems.

Climate variability and recurring weather patterns like El Niño can strain water supplies, with reservoir capacity in the region sometimes falling below 50%.

Ms Rachada said forecasts indicate the El Nino phenomenon will lead to less rainfall than usual, affecting water availability in many areas, especially key economic zones such as the EEC.

‘Mr Anutin emphasised the need for proactive water management, including the use of forecasting data to plan water allocation in advance rather than waiting until shortages occur before taking action,’ she said.

In the EEC, residential communities, agriculture, industry and tourism all rely on shared water resources, not to mention the need to ensure that natural ecosystems are not compromised.

The government has assigned the Office of National Water Resources to coordinate with relevant agencies and develop area-specific water management plans.

Reservoirs only 44% full

According to Ms Rachada, the EEC has 16 large and medium-sized reservoirs holding a combined 534 million cubic metres of water, representing 44% of their total storage capacity of 1.46 billion cu m.

During the 2026 rainy season (May 1 to Oct 31), authorities plan to allocate 1.06 billion cubic metres of water, including 526 million for agriculture, 217 million for industry, 169 million for domestic consumption and tourism, as well as water reserved for ecosystem preservation and system losses.

‘Mr Anutin stressed that water management must prioritise the needs of the public,’ she said. ‘Planning must ensure that agriculture, industry and other key economic sectors can continue operating without conflicts over water use or negative impacts on people’s quality of life.’

The Meteorological Department’s six-month rainfall forecasts are being used to assess water inflows into reservoirs and prepare to utilise the Eastern Water Grid for water pumping and diversion.

These measures are intended to meet water demand in 2027, when water consumption in the EEC is projected to reach 2.9 billion cubic metres.

In addition, the government is accelerating work on 39 water resource development projects in the EEC.

Once completed, these projects are expected to increase water reserves by 909 million cubic metres. Of the 39 projects, 23 have already received budget allocations.

Nineteen projects have been completed, adding 258 million cubic metres of water storage capacity, while four projects under construction are expected to add another 109 million.

The administration is calling on all sectors to use water more efficiently. Industrial operators are encouraged to transition towards smart factories to reduce water consumption, while the agricultural sector is urged to follow planting schedules and water allocation plans to minimise risks to crop yields and farmers’ incomes.

Thon Thamrongnawasawat, a marine and environmental scientist, recently predicted a super El Niño event could occur this year, with the most severe impacts beginning in the fourth quarter and continuing into the first quarter of next year.

The phenomenon is expected to bring drier conditions, reduced rainfall and more intense heat, while also disrupting ecosystems by raising sea temperatures and causing widespread coral bleaching.

The body of a red-haired young woman with extensive tattoos on her back was discovered in a rubbish bin in Klaeng district of Rayong on Thursday morning after a refuse bag burst open inside a garbage truck’s compactor.

Police, forensic officers, a doctor and rescue workers were dispatched to a road at Village Moo 8 in tambon Kasae Bon after being alerted at about 6am, said Pol Capt Chaithawat Rodma, deputy investigation chief at the Klaeng police station.

A garbage truck belonging to the Krasae Bon tambon administration organisation was found parked by the roadside when police arrived at the scene. Boonsueb Kaeokla, the kamnan (subdistrict headman), assisted authorities at the site.

In the pile of refuse, officers discovered the body of a woman believed to be about 20 years old. She had long red hair, fair skin and a slim build, with extensive tattoos covering her back, said police.

Forensic officers who examined the tattoos said they had not yet been fully coloured, and it was still unclear what the design depicted.

The body was in an advanced state of decomposition, with maggots and flies covering the remains and a strong foul odour. Authorities estimated that she had been dead for at least four to five days.

Sanya Ruamket, 52, a sanitation worker, told police that he and driver Phuwanat Phongsai had begun their routine collection round at about 5am.

While collecting waste, they came across a rubbish bin emitting an unusually putrid smell. The bin was surrounded by flies and contained large numbers of maggots. The workers emptied its contents into the truck for compaction.

As the compactor was operating, one of the refuse bags burst open, revealing what appeared to be a human body. Upon closer inspection, the workers realised it was the corpse of a woman and immediately alerted police.

Initial examinations found no identification documents or evidence revealing the victim’s identity. Due to the advanced decomposition, identification has proved difficult, and authorities have yet to determine whether the deceased was Thai or a foreign migrant worker.

Police have not ruled out any possibilities, including natural causes, an accident or homicide followed by the disposal of the body to conceal a crime.

A team of investigators has been ordered to review CCTV footage from routes leading into and out of the area and check missing persons reports and records of migrant workers in the vicinity.

The body has been sent for a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death and confirm the victim’s identity as investigators continue efforts to unravel the mystery.