Category: The Bangkok Post

The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) has called on the government to relax its ban on diesel exports, arguing that months of stringent curbs on refined oil shipments, imposed to cushion the fallout from war in the Middle East, are weighing heavily on the sector.

Pimjai Leeissaranukul, chairwoman of the FTI, met with Energy Minister Akanat Promphan on Wednesday to press the case, but the talks ended without a resolution.

“Further talks are needed to settle details such as which countries Thailand can export to and the volume of diesel shipments permitted,” Mrs Pimjai told the Bangkok Post after the meeting.

She led FTI-affiliated oil refinery operators to meet Mr Akanat as the industry struggles to manage a glut of diesel stock.

The cabinet imposed the ban on refined oil at the end of March to ensure energy security, as global crude oil supplies were disrupted by the Israel-US war on Iran.

Limited shipments are allowed only to Laos and Myanmar. Exports were capped at less than 5 million litres per day, with Laos receiving more than 4 million litres and Myanmar about 300,000 litres daily.

In May, the National Security Council granted an exemption for A1 jet fuel exports to the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam, arguing that aviation fuel shipments would not affect domestic consumption.

“The government already permits jet fuel exports, and energy-related pressures in Thailand have since eased,” said Mrs Pimjai, adding it is time for authorities to relax the ban to ease the diesel glut.

Oil refinery operators believe Thailand can start clearing diesel stock because the country has oil reserves covering more than 100 days of use, she said.

An energy analyst who requested anonymity said oil companies face two choices in dealing with surplus diesel: cut production or export the excess.

“But reduced production will increase the cost per unit of refined oil,” said the source.

Domestic demand for diesel is slowing during the rainy season because goods transport operators are avoiding travel in flooded areas.

Less than four months after taking office, the government appears to be confronting the greatest threat to its survival — not from an emboldened opposition, but from mounting pressures within its own ranks.

When the Bhumjaithai (BJT) Party formed a coalition with Pheu Thai Party following the Feb 8 election, it was widely regarded as one of the most politically secure administrations in years. With BJT controlling 191 House seats, a comfortable parliamentary majority and perceived influence over the Senate and state apparatuses, many analysts predicted the coalition could govern for a full four-year term with little difficulty.

Opposition parties coined the term “blue regime” to describe what they saw as BJT’s dominance across political landscape. The prevailing view was that the government would remain stable unless it undermined itself.

Approaching its four-month anniversary on Aug 10, that prediction is being tested.

Instead of legislative setbacks, the government finds itself battling a series of corruption scandals, questions over internal party unity and growing public scrutiny. While the opposition is preparing a no-confidence debate later this year, the more immediate risk appears to come from within BJT itself.

The most damaging controversy is the alleged corruption surrounding recruitment examinations for local government officials under the Interior Ministry, which Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul also heads.

Investigators believe widespread cheating, answer-sheet manipulation and bribery generated illicit payments estimated at 4.5 billion baht, making it one of the largest public-sector recruitment fraud cases. Authorities are preparing to revoke the appointments of nearly 6,000 successful candidates after uncovering evidence of systematic irregularities.

The investigation has expanded beyond examination officials. Police tracing financial transactions have identified links to local political figures and influential provincial networks in Buri Ram, Satun and Phetchabun, provinces regarded as key BJT strongholds. Several groups have already been charged, including former senior officials from the Department of Local Administration, examination administrators and individuals accused of manipulating answer sheets.

Yet the political pressure extends beyond those already facing prosecution, said observers.

Given the scale of the alleged operation, critics argue it would have been difficult to execute without political protection. Public attention has therefore shifted to whether investigators will pursue politicians suspected of involvement rather than limiting accountability to civil servants.

The government’s response has done little to ease those concerns. Although Mr Anutin has insisted investigators should follow the evidence, critics argue the administration risks creating the impression that responsibility will stop with bureaucrats while politically connected figures remain untouched.

The second controversy surrounds the 1.62-billion-baht TH-AI Passport project under the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society. Opposition lawmakers have questioned procurement procedures, alleging bidding specifications favoured companies linked to powerful figures within BJT.

The ministry falls under the supervision of Chaichanok Chidchob, son of BJT patriarch Newin Chidchob, making the project politically sensitive. The opposition is expected to highlight the scheme during the upcoming no-confidence debate as a possible case of policy-driven corruption.

The third issue involves the long-running investigation into alleged collusion during the 2025 Senate election.

The Election Commission and the Department of Special Investigation are investigating complaints involving more than 200 individuals, including senior BJT figures. Opposition parties argue that senators aligned with the party dominate the upper house, allowing BJT to influence appointments to independent constitutional bodies and weakening institutional oversight.

Although no legal conclusions have been reached, the case continues to reinforce opposition claims that excessive political concentration has eroded the system of checks and balances.

Leadership tension

Although Mr Anutin, Mr Newin and Deputy Prime Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn have denied disagreements, speculation continues over appointments within the Interior Ministry, particularly the position of permanent secretary. Such disputes are common in governing parties, but they attract greater attention because BJT’s political dominance has long rested on an image of unity among its senior leaders and influential provincial factions.

The timing is particularly sensitive as parliament prepares to reconvene later this month. The opposition People’s Party (PP) has confirmed it will seek a no-confidence debate targeting Mr Anutin and his cabinet, focusing primarily on corruption and governance.

The approaching debate has also fuelled rumours of an alternative coalition involving Pheu Thai, PP and Klatham Party should Mr Anutin’s position weaken. Speculation intensified following reports of an alleged overseas meeting between former prime minister and so-called Pheu Thai’s spiritual leader Thaksin Shinawatra and Klatham leader Capt Thamanat Prompow, although all parties have denied such discussions.

Despite the political intrigue, the prospect of such a coalition remains remote.

PP has consistently rejected cooperation with parties associated with traditional patronage politics, including Klatham. Senior party leaders have denied any negotiations, while Pita Limjaroenrat, former leader of Move Forward Party, PP’s predecessor, has argued that the opposition should focus on exposing corruption rather than pursuing power through parliamentary deal-making.

Political scientist Stithorn Thananithichot of Chulalongkorn University likewise believes ideological differences make cooperation between PP and Klatham highly unlikely. Pheu Thai also has little incentive to abandon a coalition that currently allows it to remain in government.

Consequently, many analysts view the coalition rumours less as a realistic scenario than as political messaging intended to pile pressure on BJT while enhancing Klatham’s bargaining position.

Ultimately, however, the government’s survival will depend less on opposition maneuvering than on its handling of corruption investigations.

If authorities pursue the local government recruitment scandal without regard to political affiliation, the administration could demonstrate that a commanding parliamentary majority is compatible with accountability. But if investigations are perceived as stopping with senior bureaucrats while shielding politicians, public confidence is likely to deteriorate further.

Four months into office, the coalition government still enjoys one of the strongest parliamentary mandates. Yet history also shows that dominant governments are rarely brought down by opposition attacks alone.

Turmoil at the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) is continuing as its board meeting on Wednesday was aborted, just like last month, after four commissioners boycotted the session over the chairman’s qualification status.

The deadlock could impact several high-priority telecom and digital infrastructure projects.

NBTC chairman Dr Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck called for the commissioners to collaborate on Wednesday, working to untangle the deadlock that has stalled the board’s consideration of national projects.

An NBTC source who requested anonymity said the session lasted only 30 minutes before Dr Sarana had to postpone the agenda as the meeting failed to reach a quorum, which requires at least four of the seven members.

Commissioner Somphop Purivigraipong walked out when the chairman reached the meeting room, while the commissioners Pirongrong Ramasoota, AM Thanapant Raicharoen and Suphat Suphachalasai started the meeting by questioning the legal status of the chairman after he was recently disqualified by a ruling from the NBTC selection committee.

Dr Sarana urged the group to begin the meeting by complying with their NBTC roles and accountability, however the three commissioners refused to recognise the chairman’s authority and left the meeting room.

These commissioners said that, following the ruling by a Senate selection committee that Dr Sarana lacks the qualifications to hold office, his continued presence in the role is untenable.

The schedule calls for the board to hold meetings on Aug 5, 6, 11, 13 and 19. A board meeting on July 27 was aborted as three commissioners boycotted the session on the same grounds.

AGENDA AT RISK

Dr Sarana said among the most pressing issues is acknowledging the extension of Thaicom 4 satellite operations, as its engineering lifespan is set to expire next month after two extensions of its term.

Failure to reach a resolution could lead to engineering risks and service disruptions, he said.

In the past, Thaicom 4 and Thaicom 6 satellites had been operated by satellite operator Thaicom under a state concession regime.

Thaicom transferred ownership of the two satellites to the Digital Economy and Society Ministry which later assigned National Telecom (NT) to operate the service.

Thaicom proposed NT extend the Thaicom 4 service again beyond its original mid-2024 engineering expiration date to the end of this year.

NT later granted extension for Thaicom 4 until the end of September. This permission needs NBTC acknowledgement.

Dr Sarana said other important issues awaiting consideration include the measures for the digital TV broadcasting transition, approvals on the funding of several projects, and allocation of four-digit shortcode numbers for private enterprises.

Responding to suggestions from some commissioners that the board could meet and elect an acting chair in his absence, Dr Sarana maintained that he is legally obligated to perform his duties.

“The law does not permit anyone else to act on behalf of the chairman in this capacity, and many of my responsibilities cannot be delegated,” he stated, adding that failing to sign licences or set agendas could potentially expose him to charges of malfeasance under Section 157 of the Criminal Code.

“We were chosen to work for the people,” Dr Sarana said.

He said he is attempting informal discussions with board members to prevent further collapses of the meetings.

The NBTC source said that the industry was monitoring Wednesday’s board meeting to see if the regulator could overcome its internal rift.

COURT CASE

On Aug 3, Dr Sarana filed a lawsuit with the Central Administrative Court seeking an order to revoke the Senate selection committee’s ruling to disqualify him. The petition also asked for an urgent order to grant him interim relief from the ruling.

The court ruled there was no necessity to issue an urgent interim measure prior to judgement in this case. Dr Sarana confirmed the court has accepted consideration of his lawsuit.

In his petition, he argued that the selection committee exceeded its authority and maintained his status as an NBTC commissioner remains valid until a royal command is issued to remove him from office.

On July 17, the committee ruled that Dr Sarana was prohibited from serving as chairman under relevant NBTC laws.

The law requires commissioners to work full-time and prohibits them from holding other paid positions or engaging in occupations that could create conflicts of interest.

NBTC board positions are among the most well-compensated in the public service, with directors paid 360,000 baht a month in salary and allowances, and the chairman earning 450,000 baht.

Dr Sarana, a cardiologist, resigned from government service on Jan 8, 2022 after he was appointed to the NBTC board.

However, the selection panel was shown evidence that Dr Sarana held temporary employee status as a physician at Ramathibodi Hospital, with hourly payments from Jan 8 to April 12, 2022. He also saw patients at other hospitals, saying they were existing patients and he was obliged to continue overseeing their care.

A Swedish woman wanted under an Interpol Red Notice for fraud was arrested after hiding in Thailand while evading prosecution over a call centre scam that caused losses exceeding 60 million baht, police said.

Immigration officers arrested the suspect, identified as Felicia, in Wichit district on Tuesday after receiving intelligence that a foreign fugitive was living in the province.

Police said she was wanted under an Interpol Red Notice on public fraud charges.

She joined more than 14 accomplices in early 2022 to operate a call centre gang posing as bank and finance company staff, deceiving victims into transferring money in 163 transactions worth more than 60 million baht.

She entered Thailand on a tourist visa in January. Her permission to remain has been revoked, and she will be deported to Sweden to face charges, police said.

Revised labour agreements with Myanmar are aimed at strengthening protections for migrant workers and ensuring cross-border recruitment is conducted through legal channels, a deputy government spokesperson said on Wednesday.

Capt Patdarasm Thongsaluaykorn said the cabinet had approved the updated agreements on labour cooperation and employment, which are among several pacts that officials are expected to sign when Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing visits Thailand on Thursday and Friday.

Thailand and Myanmar have cooperated on labour recruitment since 2016 under a memorandum of understanding allowing Myanmar nationals to work legally in Thailand. The documents were revised to reflect changes following the Covid-19 pandemic and developments in Myanmar.

Under the updated MoU, the labour ministries of both countries will serve as the main coordinating agencies, while expanding cooperation on labour market information sharing, skills development, exchanges of expertise and efforts to combat illegal employment and human trafficking.

The two sides will also establish joint action plans and hold regular meetings to monitor progress.

The revised employment agreement sets clearer rules on worker recruitment, contracts, work permits, labour rights, dispute resolution and repatriation, while strengthening measures against illegal immigration, human trafficking and unlawful employment.

Illegal migration to Thailand from Myanmar has increased in recent years as economic conditions have worsened since the 2021 military coup. People desperate to find work are ready prey for brokers in both countries who charge tens of thousands of baht per head.

Capt Patdarasm said the updated framework would streamline the recruitment of Myanmar workers, enhance labour protections and help employers meet labour demand through legal channels, while curbing illegal migration and trafficking.

Three government agency user accounts with access to the Ministry of Transport database have been suspended after authorities detected suspicious activities, Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat said on Wednesday.

The action follows reports that vehicle registration details and personal information – including data on a Rolls-Royce owned by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul – had surfaced online, prompting investigations into how the data was accessed.

Mr Siripong said unusual search activities were found involving accounts related to the Bangkok Noi district office, the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) and the Singhanat Task Force of the Royal Thai Army.

The case has been referred to the police Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) for investigation. As a precaution, the ministry has instructed agencies with authorised access to the transport ministry and Department of Land Transport (DLT) databases to reset their passwords.

Mr Siripong said officials have yet to determine whether the suspicious activities were carried out by the legitimate account holders or by unauthorised users who had gained access to the accounts. Investigative sources later said that the latter appeared to have been the case.

The leaked information consisted only of basic personal data and could not be used to carry out transactions or transfer vehicle ownership without identity verification. Asked how many people may have been affected, Mr Siripong said officials had identified suspicious searches involving the records of about 6,000 to 7,000 people.

The records believed to have been accessed included personal information relating to Mr Anutin, as well as other cabinet ministers and senior Interior Ministry officials. Asked about a photograph of his national identification card circulating online, Mr Anutin acknowledged it was genuine, but said it was taken ‘a long time ago’.

The prime minister said that authorities would investigate how the information had become public and whether existing safeguards were adequate.

Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaichanok Chidchob said the data appeared to have been accessed from a single location using the same login account on two occasions.

Labour Minister Julapun Amornvivat has met with representatives of the Thai Contractors Association under His Majesty the King’s Patronage (TCA) to address the growing shortage of foreign workers.

The situation has been exacerbated by tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border and the ongoing instability in Myanmar.

The association’s president, Liza Ngamtrakulpanit, said the labour shortages are affecting construction projects nationwide.

During the meeting, both sides discussed the stay and work permits of Myanmar workers recruited under a government-to-government memorandum of understanding (MoU) who have completed their four-year employment period.

The Department of Employment and Myanmar authorities reached an agreement in principle on July 23 to waive the mandatory 30-day departure requirement for workers whose contracts expire this year. The proposal will be submitted to the Committee on Foreign Workers Policy on Management and the cabinet for approval.

The issue of temporary legalisation for undocumented workers from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam whose permits have expired was raised. Authorities are considering allowing eligible workers to remain and work legally in Thailand for renewable periods of up to two years.

Meanwhile, Mr Julapun said the ministry plans to facilitate the recruitment of additional workers from Myanmar.

Because land border crossings remain closed due to security concerns, Myanmar workers recruited under the MoU must enter Thailand by air. Although Thailand proposed reopening land crossings to reduce travel costs for employers and workers, Myanmar has insisted that air travel remains necessary for safety reasons.

The issue of the digital e-work permit system, allowing employers to apply for work permits, submit employment notifications and update permit information entirely online, was also discussed.

Capt Thamanat Prompow, leader of the Klatham Party, has firmly denied speculation that he was involved in any secret political negotiations abroad.

He insisted there was no so-called “Monaco deal”, no meeting with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and no discussions over an alleged “red-green-orange” political alignment.

He described the reports as fabricated rumours and urged the public to rely only on his own statements.

The rumours were interpreted by some commentators as a possible “red-green-orange pact”, with “red” referring to Pheu Thai, “green” representing Klatham, and “orange” referring to the People’s Party (PP).

Speaking after a period away from the political spotlight, Capt Thamanat said he had spent most of his time with his family and children, with little involvement in politics beyond overseeing his party.

He also dismissed reports surrounding overseas travel, stressing that his trips were solely with his family and that he had met no political figures abroad.

Responding to claims that discussions had taken place over a possible alliance involving Klatham, Pheu Thai, and the PP, Capt Thamanat said that no talks or political deals had ever occurred.

He suggested that such scenarios were merely political speculation by commentators and academics, amplified through social media.

Asked whether the forthcoming no-confidence debate could trigger political change, he said the opposition would first examine which ministers would be targeted and carefully review the available evidence.

On scrutiny of the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry, where he previously served as minister, Capt Thamanat said fairness should be shown to Agriculture Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, who had only recently taken office and was continuing projects initiated under the previous administration.

He also said he had put aside disagreements with the PP dating from before the election.

Two suspects linked to the fatal shooting of two Tak Bai police officers were killed in a gunfight with security forces in this southern province on Wednesday, while authorities later apprehended another suspect believed to have helped the duo evade arrest earlier.

The operation was launched at about 2am after security agencies tracked the movements of the suspects to a hut in Ban Nam Tok village in Sukhirin district.

The two men killed in the raid were identified only as Abdulmuklis, 23, and Sahman, 34.

Abdulmuklis was wanted on separate theft and drug trafficking charges. Forensic examinations linked his DNA to parts of a firearm recovered from the hut.

Sahman was wanted on two arrest warrants for murder and theft, according to Pol Lt Gen Piyawat Chalermsri, the commissioner of Provincial Police Region 9.

Investigators said the two suspects fled Tak Bai after the attack on Sunday and sought medical treatment in Cho Airong district before moving between hiding places in Ra-ngae district. Their most recent location was then traced to the hut in Sukhirin district.

Pol Lt Gen Piyawat said the suspects opened fire on officers, triggering a gun battle. No officers were injured during the operation.

Police recovered two firearms stolen during Sunday’s incident, including a Glock pistol belonging to Pol Cpl Traitos Kunsanthawasiri, who was wounded in the shooting.

Pol Lt Gen Piyawat said the operation was conducted in accordance with evidence gathered by investigators and standard tactical procedures.

So far, authorities have identified 14 people believed to have been connected to the Tak Bai attack, including the two who were killed.

The other 12 suspects have been detained for questioning, including the fugitive arrested on Wednesday afternoon on suspicion of having helped the shooters escape earlier.

The cabinet has approved a national policy committee to oversee the country’s fast-growing data centre industry, aiming to balance investment promotion with concerns over energy security, water resources and environmental protection.

The Data Centre Policy Committee will formulate national policies and coordinate with state agencies responsible for approving and regulating data centre projects, government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek said on Wednesday.

The committee will be chaired by a deputy prime minister appointed by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, with the ministers of digital economy and society, interior and energy serving as deputies, alongside senior officials and up to three experts appointed by the prime minister.

Its mandate includes setting regulatory standards, monitoring the industry’s impact on electricity, water use, cybersecurity and environmental protection, while supporting the country’s goal of becoming a regional digital economy hub.

‘The objective is to provide clear direction for Thailand’s digital economy. We will see to it that data centre businesses do not adversely affect the country’s energy security or water resources,’ Ms Rachada said.

In 2025, the digital sector was the largest destination for the Board of Investment (BoI) applications, at 746 billion baht, with most of that linked to data centres. The value of dedicated data centre applications rose more than sevenfold, from 99 billion baht in 2024 to 728 billion in 2025.

In the first quarter of 2026, data centres accounted for the overwhelming majority of a record level of applications exceeding 1 trillion baht. So far, the BoI has approved 16 data centres to serve artificial intelligence developers. None of them has been built yet, and the country still lacks a specific legal framework for these digital installations.

The Ministry of Commerce has issued 1,145 permits for AI data centre businesses, 669 of them in Bangkok and most of those on Rama IX Road. The rest are scattered across Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phuket, Chon Buri, Nakhon Ratchasima, Rayong and Khon Kaen provinces.

At present, approvals for data centre projects rely on building control and land-use regulations, as the facilities are not classified as factories under existing law. A new law is currently being drafted.

The cabinet’s decision to establish the committee coincided with a petition filed at Government House by Srisuwan Janya, president of the Anti-Global Warming Association, urging the prime minister to tighten environmental controls on data centres, cloud service facilities and advanced electronics projects.

Mr Srisuwan warned that large data centres consume huge amounts of electricity and water, potentially competing with households and farmers for resources.