Category: The Bangkok Post

Google has lifted the veil on a new generation of smart eyewear – a fashion-forward collaboration with Gentle Monster and Warby Parker that stitches Gemini AI into everyday frames: discreet audio glasses and display glasses.

Built on the Android XR platform with Samsung and Qualcomm, the collection, unveiled at the Google I/O 2026 in California, aims to marry runway polish with practical, always-on artificial intelligence (AI) for wearers from morning to night.

The collection will launch in two versions: audio glasses and display glasses. The audio glasses deliver spoken assistance through in-frame speakers, while the display glasses project directions, translations and notifications onto the lenses for a truly hands-free, heads-up experience.

Rather than designing bulky, gadget-first frames, Gentle Monster and Warby Parker ensured the glasses also serve as effortless accessories, designed to be incorporated into everyday wardrobes with maximum comfort.

The Gentle Monster collaboration especially leans into current fashion trends, featuring sleek oval silhouettes and minimalist black frames reminiscent of this year’s rising tiny black shades fashion epidemic. Captured through the lens of fashion photographer Carlijn Jacobs, the glasses look closer to runway eyewear than futuristic tech hardware.

All models are designed to offer a hands-free, heads-up experience powered by Gemini AI. Users can activate the assistant simply by saying ‘Hey Google’ or tapping the side of the frame before asking questions, requesting directions, translating conversations or managing daily tasks.

Among the features coming to the audio glasses are:

Asking Gemini about what you see

Real-time navigation assistance

Hands-free messaging and calls

Photo capture and editing

Live speech and text translation

Task management support

Direct integration with applications

By combining AI functionality with forefront trends, Google appears to be positioning smart glasses not as niche tech products, but as wearable fashion essentials.

The audio glasses are expected to launch first, with public availability scheduled for this fall.

Thai police said they have taken criminal action against a gang accused of abducting five Chinese nationals for ransom in Sa Kaeo, with the four police officers implicated also facing suspension.

The Chinese group was rescued on Sunday in Wang Somboon district of the eastern border province. They were found detained at an isolated house in a forested area in tambon Wang Mai by four policemen and a civilian, who have not been identified, according to the Sa Kaeo Immigration Bureau.

The foreign group was travelling in a vehicle with a Thai driver in the middle of the night before being apprehended by the police.

Instead of taking them to a police station for legal proceedings, the suspects allegedly took the foreigners to the house, handcuffed and threatened them with violence unless they paid US$10,000 each, or about 300,000 baht.

Two of the victims each transferred cryptocurrency to the suspects as a deposit, while the other secretly sent a message via the Line application to an Immigration Bureau officer in Pathum Thani, prompting immigration officers in Sa Kaeo to raid the site.

The Wang Somboon police station has formally charged the officers with unlawful detention, abuse of authority by state officials, extortion and misconduct in office. The civilian has been charged with assisting them, police spokesman Pol Lt Gen Trairong Phiwphan said on Wednesday.

All suspects were taken to the Sa Kaeo Provincial Court on Tuesday for their first detention hearing.

It was initially proposed that the four officers be suspended from the police force to ensure a transparent investigation and maintain public confidence, Pol Lt Gen Trairong said.

Fifth officer sought

Authorities are also tracking down another police officer, who was said to have left the house to buy food prior to the raid.

Pol Lt Gen Trairong stressed that even if the detained individuals themselves might have committed illegal acts, public officials have no right to exercise extra-legal authority.

The investigation is continuing to determine whether the operation involved a larger network or additional supporters, the spokesman added.

Authorities are also investigating possible links to transnational criminal activities or online scam networks as the Chinese victims were found to have illegally crossed the Thai-Cambodian border frequently.

The case has drawn a response from the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok, which has urged Thai authorities to conduct a lawful, fair and transparent investigation and bring all those involved to justice.

A spokesperson said China sincerely hoped Thailand would strengthen oversight of law enforcement and domestic security in order to better protect the lives, property, and lawful rights and interests of Chinese citizens in Thailand.

It also reminded Chinese citizens residing in Thailand or planing to travel to the country to strictly comply with laws and regulations and pay close attention for their safety.

The National Security Council (NSC) has approved the export of jet fuel to Vietnam and the Philippines after determining that Thailand currently has excess reserves.

All oil product exports were suspended earlier this year, with exemptions granted only to Myanmar and Laos, as the country concentrated on shoring up reserves in response to the oil shortage caused by the Middle East war.

The council on Wednesday reviewed a request from the Ministry of Energy, which said Vietnam and the Philippines had requested supplies of Jet A-1 aviation fuel, said Chatchai Bangchuad, the NSC secretary-general.

The NSC concluded that the exports would not affect domestic fuel consumption because the shipments involve aviation fuel rather than other petroleum products, he said following the meeting at Government House.

The exports would also help reduce Thailand’s current excess stockpile, allowing fuel management to proceed in line with regulations, he added.

However, Mr Chatchai stressed that if domestic shortages arise, the energy ministry would have the authority to suspend exports if needed.

In a related development, Mr Chatchai said the meeting also approved an extension of the application period for nationality status determination for long-term migrants and stateless ethnic groups living in Thailand.

A cabinet resolution in 2024 authorised the Interior Ministry to accept applications, which began in June 2025 and are scheduled to end on June 30 this year.

Authorities estimate that about 480,000 people are affected by statelessness. Over the past year, the Interior Ministry has processed more than 100,000 cases.

The NSC agreed to extend the application period for another year, to June 30, 2027, under the same criteria.

The Office of the Insurance Commission (OIC) is accelerating the digital transformation of the country’s compulsory motor insurance system, aiming to improve protection for road accident victims, enhance operational efficiency, and integrate insurance coverage more closely with annual vehicle tax renewals.

Mayurin Sutthirattanapan, assistant secretary-general at the regulator, said the OIC held discussions with business representatives about reforms to the compulsory motor insurance framework as the nation transitions to a digital economy.

The discussion focused on four major areas: improving insurance data systems, promoting digital insurance policies, revising coverage rules to better reflect actual car usage, and strengthening road safety and victim protection measures.

The reforms are expected to make insurance services more convenient, transparent and efficient for the public, while aligning the sector with evolving digital and sustainability trends.

The OIC plans to improve the accuracy, completeness and timeliness of insurance data submitted into the system to facilitate greater integration with government agencies, including the Department of Land Transport, the police, and public health authorities.

Enhanced data connectivity will help motorists more easily renew annual vehicle taxes, verify insurance status, and access compensation and protection benefits for road accident victims, Ms Mayurin said.

The regulator set a target for all insurers to submit data for the Compulsory Motor Insurance System, the central database used for compulsory motor insurance reporting, on a real-time basis by the end of the third quarter of 2026.

Insurance companies have also been instructed to strictly comply with standardised reporting requirements to strengthen nationwide data integration.

DIGITAL POLICY PUSH

The second measure centres on reducing the use of paper insurance documents and accelerating the adoption of electronic insurance policies, or e-policies, as part of Thailand’s sustainability and digital government agenda.

All 35 insurers currently offering compulsory motor insurance are already capable of issuing e-policies and submitting data to the custodian system at a 100% compliance rate.

Between January and April this year, more than 14 million e-policies were issued, reflecting growing adoption across the industry.

The regulator is now encouraging insurers to make digital policies the primary delivery channel in order to reduce printing, logistics, and document management costs while improving long-term service efficiency.

The third reform involves aligning insurance coverage periods with annual vehicle tax payment cycles. The OIC is working with the Department of Land Transport to ensure that all vehicles in the country maintain uninterrupted compulsory insurance coverage as required by law.

The regulator opened a public consultation process through Thailand’s Law Portal system and invited insurers and stakeholders to provide feedback to ensure the new regulations are practical and effective once implemented.

ROAD SAFETY EXPANSION

The fourth initiative focuses on expanding road safety and accident victim protection programmes nationwide in 2026.

Building on pilot projects launched in 2025, the OIC said it is developing a broader systemic model that uses area-specific data and multi-sector cooperation to reduce road accidents and improve public safety outcomes.

New pilot provinces for 2026 include Prachin Buri, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Sawan and Suphan Buri, where authorities aim to establish “safe road community” models tailored to local risk conditions.

The OIC also called on insurers to support the initiative through data sharing, public awareness campaigns, and the development of insurance products that better reflect regional risk profiles.

“The latest discussions marked an important step towards creating a unified operational direction between regulators and the insurance industry,” said Ms Mayurin.

The reforms are expected to improve service standards, strengthen protection for accident victims, and enhance public confidence in Thailand’s insurance system over the long term, she said.

The cabinet has approved the “Thais Help Thais Plus” programme together with additional support measures for vulnerable groups, with a combined budget of 176 billion baht, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas announced on Tuesday.

The programme is designed to ease the burden of rising living costs as Thailand faces what the government has described as a second wave of the global energy crisis.

Programme registration will open through the Paotang application between May 25 and 29, with benefits available from June 1 to Sept 30 at participating retailers nationwide. The programme will help reduce living costs for more than 43 million citizens.

Speaking after Tuesday’s cabinet meeting, Mr Ekniti, also a deputy prime minister, said higher energy prices have driven up production costs across the economy and pushed inflation upwards, despite negative inflation recorded during the first quarter of the year. Inflation rose to 2.9% in April and could climb as high as 5% this year if the current cycle is not contained, he warned.

Mr Ekniti said prolonged inflationary pressure could force many small businesses to close and lead to job losses, particularly among lower-income groups with limited financial reserves.

“The government’s objective is not to stimulate economic growth, but to provide temporary relief to households and help small businesses survive during a period of weakening domestic purchasing power,” he said.

In addition, the programme will seek to improve the capabilities of small retailers participating in the scheme by introducing AI tools to analyse business performance, including operating costs and daily sales figures, he said.

The system will also generate financial statements that merchants can use when applying for loans from state-owned financial institutions.

The “Thais Help Thais Plus” scheme will provide assistance to three main groups.

The first group consists of 13.18 million state welfare cardholders. Under the programme, recipients will receive an additional 700 baht per month on top of the existing 300 baht allowance, increasing total monthly support to 1,000 baht for four months between June and September 2026.

The measure will require a budget of 56 billion baht.

Existing welfare card holders will automatically receive the funds, while the Interior Ministry has been instructed to update its database to ensure broader coverage of vulnerable populations.

The second group targets about 30 million salaried workers and members of the general public.

With a budget allocation of 120 billion baht, the government will subsidise 60% of spending on food, beverages, goods and approved services, while participants will pay the remaining 40%.

State support will be capped at 200 baht per person per day, or no more than 1,000 baht per month, over a four-month period.

Any unused balance cannot be carried forward to the following month.

The third component of the programme focuses on supporting small retailers and local businesses struggling with rising operating costs and slowing consumer demand.

As part of the scheme’s “Plus” initiative, AI tools will be introduced to help merchants analyse their sales trends, manage inventory, and generate financial statements for loan applications to state-owned financial institutions.

Krungthai Bank president Payong Srivanich said the bank would deploy its AI platform, known as “Whispering Bird”, to assist participating merchants, particularly food vendors, many of whom account for more than half of the programme’s expected one million participating shops.

Nippon Steel has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to Thailand, urging stronger government protection against an influx of substandard steel imports and expressing readiness to further expand investments in the country.

Takahiro Mori, vice-chairman and executive vice-president of Nippon Steel Corporation, met Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul at Government House on Tuesday to discuss the development of Thailand’s steel industry, together with Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun and Industry Minister Varawut Silpa-archa.

The delegation included Dr Somsak Leeswadtrakul, honorary chairman of G Steel and G J Steel, strategic partners of Nippon Steel and among Southeast Asia’s largest electric arc furnace (EAF) green steel producers, along with senior company executives.

Nippon Steel, Japan’s largest steel producer and expected to become the world’s third-largest steelmaker following its US$14.9-billion acquisition of US Steel, reaffirmed its long-term commitment to Thailand through investments in around 30 companies employing approximately 8,000 workers across the steel supply chain, from upstream production to downstream manufacturing.

The company said its total assets in Thailand are valued at around 80 billion baht, generating annual revenue of approximately 123 billion baht.

Executives expressed confidence in Thailand’s industrial potential and highlighted plans to continue improving production quality, advancing environmentally friendly steel technologies, and expanding future investments in the country.

During the discussions, Nippon Steel requested stronger government support to improve the competitiveness and sustainability of Thailand’s domestic steel industry, which has faced growing pressure from imported steel products sold at significantly lower prices.

One key proposal involved reforming Thailand’s trade remedy measures against unfair steel imports. The company urged the government to revise anti-circumvention measures from the current individual exporter basis to a country-by-country basis, in line with existing anti-dumping measures. Executives also called for faster procedures to add circumventing exporters to enforcement lists.

The delegation further urged stricter enforcement of Thai Industrial Standards to ensure product quality and fair competition, while supporting proposals by the Federation of Thai Industries to impose appropriate restrictions on substandard steel production using induction furnace technology. The company expressed readiness to further expand investments in Thailand with continued government support and favourable industrial policies.

Prime Minister Anutin reportedly instructed the commerce and industry ministries to closely monitor the situation and coordinate measures to mitigate the impact on Thailand’s steel industry.

Mrs Suphajee and Mr Varawut said the measures are being expedited, noting that stronger support for the steel sector would help reinforce Thai industries and stimulate growth in related sectors.

The outlook for Thailand’s rice exports in the second half of the year remains uncertain as climate conditions and geopolitical conflicts could significantly influence trade volume, says a member of the Thai Rice Exporters Association.

The Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) projects Thailand will export 7 million tonnes of rice this year.

Thailand shipped roughly 2.2 million tonnes of rice in the first four months, according to the association.

Indian white rice 5% is currently priced at US$340 per tonne, while Thai white rice 5% is at $420 per tonne, according to the group.

Chookiat Ophaswongse, honorary president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, said the wide price gap between Indian and Thai rice has enabled Indian exporters to capture a larger share of the African market, presenting a challenge for Thai rice exports.

In 2025, Iraq was Thailand’s largest rice export market, importing 1 million tonnes, followed by South Africa with 880,000 tonnes, and the US with 820,000 tonnes, according to the DFT.

Mr Chookiat said the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted Thailand’s rice exports to Iraq. In the first four months of 2026, around 90,000 tonnes of rice were shipped to Iraq.

“The outlook for the second half of the year is challenging and will be influenced by various factors,” he said.

If the strait opens up and Iraq resumes rice imports from Thailand, a large volume of orders could drive up demand in the latter half of the year, said Mr Chookiat.

WEATHER PATTERNS

If an El Niño event occurs this year, it will likely impact rice production across Southeast Asia, as the phenomenon typically brings drought and heatwaves to the region, he noted. Most Thai rice plantations still depend on rainfall rather than irrigation systems.

The war in the Middle East has raised fertiliser prices, increasing costs for farmers. As a result, farmers may reduce fertiliser use, potentially resulting in lower yields.

Lower yields from reduced fertiliser use, coupled with the potential impact of El Niño on crop output, could drive rice prices slightly higher this year, said Mr Chookiat.

The weather pattern may benefit the rice export market by lifting demand from countries seeking to secure supplies.

Malaysia and the Philippines are increasing their orders, likely as part of efforts to stockpile rice to prepare for climate-related risks, he noted.

For the first three months of 2026, Malaysia imported 134,000 tonnes of rice from Thailand, up from around 33,000 tonnes year-on-year, and the Philippines imported around 100,000 tonnes, up from 52,000 tonnes for the period.

“This helped to absorb supplies unable to be exported to Iraq,” Mr Chookiat said.

Indonesia has gradually shifted its policy towards food self-sufficiency, resulting in reduced imports of Thai rice.

However, if a super El Niño event hits the country, Indonesia may increase its rice imports, he said.

Despite the uncertain outlook, Mr Chookiat said he is optimistic Thailand will achieve the rice export target of 7 million tonnes this year.

He urged the government to adopt a long-term strategy to address industry challenges, working to reduce production costs, increase yields, develop new rice varieties and explore new export markets.

The Social Security Office (SSO) is giving financial support to telemedicine services for patients with 26 chronic illnesses, which would reduce travel costs during the ongoing fuel price crisis linked to conflict in the Middle East.

Social Security Office secretary-general Kanchana Poolkaew said on Tuesday the Medical Committee under the Social Security Act had issued a regulation governing medical service payments for telemedicine services during the Middle East conflict situation.

The measure took effect on May 1 and will remain in force until July 31 to help ease the impact of rising fuel prices and reduce transportation costs for insured workers.

Under the regulation, the SSO will reimburse designated hospitals and healthcare facilities for telemedicine services provided to insured persons under Sections 33 and 39 of the Social Security Act who suffer from any of 26 chronic diseases and receive outpatient treatment.

Ms Kanchana said the Medical Committee approved additional medical service payments to support treatment for chronic disease patients whose conditions are stable and suitable for remote care.

Currently, 118 medical facilities nationwide have joined the SSO’s telemedicine programme to improve accessibility, convenience and speed of healthcare services while helping reduce overcrowding at hospitals.

Hospitals participating in the programme will bill the SSO directly, meaning patients do not have to pay upfront costs.

The 26 chronic conditions covered include diabetes, hypertension, chronic liver inflammation and cirrhosis, heart failure, stroke, cancer and immunodeficiency disorders.

Thailand has set a target of becoming a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) by 2028, government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek said.

Speaking after Tuesday’s cabinet meeting, Ms Rachada said the government is seriously advancing the process of joining the OECD, with the cabinet approving the establishment of a national steering committee to oversee Thailand’s accession process.

The committee will be chaired by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and will be responsible for directing policy, accelerating implementation and coordinating the work of all relevant agencies.

Three deputy prime ministers — Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Sihasak Phuangketkeow and Pakorn Nilprapunt — will serve as vice chairmen.

The committee also includes senior officials overseeing the budget, civil service reform, economic planning, foreign affairs and legal affairs.

Several external experts have also been appointed to support the process in areas such as economics, law, governance, and international cooperation.

Ms Rachada said OECD membership is one of the government’s key agendas because it represents a broad national upgrade across multiple sectors, including the economy, legal systems, governance, investment, competitiveness, innovation, the environment and quality of life.

She said accession would promote investor confidence and increase Thailand’s competitiveness.

Thailand is undergoing the technical assessment phase which requires it to submit information and evaluate the compatibility of Thai laws, policies, and practices with OECD standards.

Two Chinese nationals have been arrested for allegedly using a luxury pool villa in Chon Buri as a base to produce zombie pods for illegal vape products.

The arrests took place on Tuesday in tambon Huai Yai Bang Lamung district after residents reported suspicious activity involving two Chinese men allegedly mixing chemicals inside the rented property.

Chon Buri governor Narit Niramaiwong, provincial police chief Pol Maj Gen Phongphan Wongmanithet and police officers led the raid under a search warrant issued by the Pattaya Provincial Court. Authorities found large amounts of chemicals stored in plastic containers, buckets and sacks inside the two-storey villa.

The upper floor had been converted into a laboratory containing glass tubes and three chemical-processing machines still operating during the raid.

The machines were producing etomidate, commonly known as the “zombie drug”, a sedative increasingly linked to drug-laced vape pods popular among tourists at nightlife entertainment venues.

Two Chinese nationals, identified as Jia Jing Zhuang, 47, and Teng Ji, 24, were arrested at the scene.

Both allegedly admitted they were hired to guard the property and oversee the chemical mixing equipment.

They face charges of working illegally in Thailand and were taken into custody for further questioning.

Investigators later expanded the operation to a warehouse in tambon Bang Lamung, about 20 kilometres away. Officers discovered more chemical containers, weighing equipment and laboratory tools believed to be intended for drug production.

Mr Narit said the raid followed an earlier operation two months ago involving another rented house in tambon Nong Pla Lai where authorities seized suspected psychotropic chemicals.

He urged local residents and community leaders to help monitor suspicious activity, particularly groups renting houses for illegal operations involving narcotics and chemicals.

Further investigations were under way to identify the sources of the chemicals and the masterminds.