Category: The Bangkok Post

A series of emerging reports in recent weeks concerning tight water supplies and river pollution in central and northern Thailand mean the nation is now facing a challenging water security situation, experts say.

The reports include a Thai-owned waste management plant in Saraburi province that has allegedly been polluting canals with heavy metals, a case of transboundary water pollution in Chiang Rai province caused by unregulated mining activity in Myanmar, and a local protest against the construction of a Chinese-owned mining plant in Kanchanaburi province due to fears of pollution.

Department of Royal Irrigation spokesman Thanet Sombon said the department has had to focus on both the quantity and quality of water supplies.

He said water pollution presents another challenge to the department’s task of ensuring there is sufficient year-round water consumption for households, and the agricultural and industrial sectors.

Mr Thanet said the department aims to expand the country’s total irrigated area to 38.9 million rai by 2037, raising the water storage capacity above 86.2 billion cubic metres. At present, 35.9 million rai are covered by irrigation systems, with a storage capacity of about 83.85 billion cu/m.

This represents about 60% of the country’s total potential irrigated area. The remaining 21.4 million rai, or 40%, is planned for development after 2037.

Meanwhile, to support the running of plants located in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), Mr Thanet said 16 irrigation projects are under way. They are set to be finished by 2037 on the budget of 48 billion baht, increasing the water volume by 542 million cu/m, he added.

A budget will also be allocated to six projects to increase the volume of water in the Pra Sae reservoir in Rayong province and Bang Pra reservoir in Chon Buri, Mr Thanet said. This is expected to add another 155 million cu/m of water volume in the reservoirs.

Another 28-billion-baht budget includes the controversial Klong Wang Tanod reservoir construction project in Chanthaburi. About 55 million cu/m of water from the dam is expected to feed the Pra Sae reservoir, linking up with other water networks in the eastern region.

A budget of 12 billion baht will be allocated to seven projects to increase water storage capacity in two reservoirs in Chachoengsao province and two more reservoirs in Chon Buri, together with increasing water storage in canals.

All of these combined should be able to store in excess of 296.6 million cu/m. The rest focus on increasing the water storage capacity in Klong Bang Pai, Chon Buri.

Data centre impact

The EEC is expected to be the industrial base of AI data centre investment despite local people’s concerns about the huge consumption of water volume and energy. Any investment in the sector requires environmental impact assessments (EIA/EHIA) be conducted in advance.

Sitang Pilailar, a lecturer from the Department of Water Resources Engineering, Kasetsart University, voiced her concern the issue of water security has yet to be made a national agenda item despite the fact that it affects people’s health and jobs.

The government’s water policy mainly concerns the sourcing of natural water. As a result, the quality of the water has been overlooked even when water pollution has increased mostly from industrial activities, such as when industrial plants discharge wastewater into a natural water source, Ms Sitang said.

‘When water is not safe, neither food nor people are safe.’ she said. ‘We are now at the point where all stakeholders must take action to deal with polluted water.

‘Strong law enforcement must be taken to plants that discharge untreated water into the rivers or canals.’

Ms Sitang said local administrative organisations should play a key role in regulating factories located within their jurisdiction to curb emissions and safeguard the environment.

National security issue

Pianporn Deetes, executive director of the advocacy group Rivers and Rights, said transboundary river contamination is not simply an environmental issue, but rather a national and regional security issue. It directly threatens water security, food security, public health and regional stability.

When rivers that sustain millions of people become contaminated, the costs are measured not only in damaged ecosystems but also in economic losses, declining public trust and long-term health consequences, Ms Pianporn said.

Delayed or inadequate action only compounds those costs. That is why this crisis must be treated as a national priority and a regional diplomatic priority, she added.

‘I have not lost hope in the Thai government or in other governments that share responsibility for addressing this crisis,’ she said. ‘What is needed now is stronger political leadership and a genuine commitment to cooperation.

‘Thailand has the legal tools, diplomatic channels, scientific expertise and international partnerships necessary to confront this challenge.

‘What people expect is not confrontation with neighbouring countries or China, but principled leadership that puts the public interest first.’

As extreme summer temperatures become an increasingly serious public health concern, Japanese manufacturers have introduced a portable cooling booth designed to help people recover quickly from dangerous heat exposure.

Developed through a collaboration between the industrial supplier Trusco Nakayama and the refrigeration company Sanden Retail Systems, the ‘Do Hiemon Box’ is a compact personal cooling unit designed for workers and members of the public who spend long periods outdoors in high temperatures.

The booth resembles a small enclosed cabin with a built-in seat. Once inside, users are cooled by streams of chilled air directed toward the head, neck and upper body – areas where rapid heat removal is considered most effective.

The system maintains an interior environment of around 15 degrees Celsius while delivering air cooled to approximately 5C through strategically positioned vents.

According to the manufacturers, users can reduce their body temperature in about 10 minutes, providing fast relief from symptoms associated with heat exhaustion.

Unlike conventional air conditioners or portable fans, the enclosed design allows cold air to circulate around the user more efficiently, resulting in faster cooling.

Because sudden exposure to very low temperatures can place stress on the body, the booth includes several safety features. Users can choose from three cooling modes, while an automatic timer switches the unit off after 20 minutes to reduce the risk of excessive cooling or hypothermia.

Standing about two metres tall, the stainless-steel booth is insulated with polystyrene panels to improve energy efficiency. It carries an IPX3 rating, allowing it to withstand light rain, making it suitable for outdoor workplaces.

The unit is mounted on lockable caster wheels for easy transport and operates from a standard 100-volt electrical outlet, eliminating the need for permanent installation.

The manufacturers say it consumes roughly half the electricity required by a conventional industrial spot cooler, with operating costs estimated at about 15 to 16 yen per hour.

The cooling booth arrives at a time when Japan is experiencing increasingly severe summers. Between May 1 and Sept 30 last year, more than 100,000 people required hospital treatment for heatstroke, prompting local authorities and businesses to look for additional ways to protect outdoor workers, elderly residents and others at risk.

One of the first units was donated to the Maebashi City Hall, where it has been made available free of charge during office hours for residents seeking relief from the heat.

The standard model is currently priced at ¥1.5 million (305,000 baht) before tax.

Thailand must develop its own Thai-language AI systems or risk falling behind foreign technology companies, economists and digital policy experts have warned.

Their concerns represent a broader challenge facing many middle-income economies: while governments have invested heavily in digital infrastructure over the past decade, the emergence of generative AI has fundamentally reshaped the digital economy faster than policymakers anticipated.

Countries that fail to adapt risk becoming consumers rather than creators of AI technologies, with long-term implications for productivity, education and economic sovereignty.

Economist and former deputy education minister Varakorn Samkoses said Thailand has never lacked comprehensive policy frameworks. The country’s weakness lies in turning those plans into action.

Mr Varakorn said successive governments have produced detailed digital economy strategies, but implementation has been undermined by fragmented bureaucratic responsibilities, political interests and the absence of systematic reviews of past policy successes and failures.

Thailand’s digital infrastructure itself is relatively strong. Broadband coverage is extensive, mobile internet speeds are competitive by regional standards, and government platforms such as the “Tang Rat” super-app have attracted roughly 30 million users.

However, the arrival of generative AI over the past two years has dramatically altered digital priorities.

“AI has emerged so rapidly that the entire digital landscape has changed,” Mr Varakorn said. “Everyone is now focusing almost exclusively on AI.”

Stalled AI action

Thailand approved its National Artificial Intelligence Action Plan in 2022, based largely on work completed before ChatGPT and other generative AI systems transformed global markets.

The government later established a National AI Committee chaired by the prime minister in early 2024.

Yet Mr Varakorn says the committee met only once under the previous administration before its activities stalled.

The interruption was compounded by controversy surrounding the government’s TH-AI Passport initiative, which has been contentious and delayed broader AI policy implementation.

As a result, Thailand now encounters an institutional problem.

AI responsibilities remain scattered across multiple agencies, including the Prime Minister’s Office, the Digital Economy and Society (DE) Ministry, the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), and the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC).

Despite efforts by the DE to centralise AI governance, no subsequent prime minister has reconvened the National AI Committee in 2026.

“The strategy itself was well prepared,” Mr Varakorn said. “But after only two years it has shown itself to be outdated because AI has evolved much faster than policymakers expected.”

Thailand’s original AI strategy focused on five pillars: creating legal and ethical frameworks, standardising digital infrastructure, developing AI talent, supporting technological innovation, and promoting AI adoption in both government and business.

But Mr Varakorn argues that the plan underestimated how quickly generative AI would reshape global competition.

The world’s largest AI companies are already entering schools across developing countries, offering free educational tools that familiarise students with proprietary AI ecosystems from an early age.

Thailand cannot realistically prevent foreign AI companies from entering its market, he acknowledged.

Instead, policymakers should focus on maximising the benefits. Domestic capabilities must also be developed alongside imported technologies.

The priority, he said, should be investing in Thai-language large language models.

Such systems would enable businesses, government agencies and citizens to interact with AI naturally in Thai while preserving local linguistic and cultural contexts that global AI models may overlook.

“We cannot avoid using foreign technology,” Mr Varakorn said.

“The answer is transparent cooperation with international companies while building AI infrastructure that serves Thailand’s long-term national interests.”

Digital opportunities, risks

The debate extends beyond industrial policy into education and youth development.

Thanakorn Srisuksai, manager of Thai Media Fund, said new research conducted with private-sector partners shows that Thai youth are among the country’s most intensive social media users.

While digital platforms offer important educational benefits, they also expose young users to significant psychological and social risks.

Research found that students preparing for university entrance examinations rely on TikTok and YouTube to exchange study advice, share education resources and support one another through peer-to-peer learning.

Online fandom communities likewise provide key spaces for social interaction among teenagers.

However, researchers also found evidence of growing algorithm-driven “echo chambers”, where recommendation systems reinforce similar content, potentially encouraging excessive gaming, compulsive content consumption and increasingly polarised online behaviour.

Previous studies cited by the fund suggest heavy social media use is associated with higher risks of anxiety, depression and other mental health problems among young people.

Another notable finding is Thai teenagers place greater trust in online influencers than in government agencies or traditional news media, particularly through TikTok and Instagram.

While countries including France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Australia, Singapore and Indonesia have introduced various measures to regulate children’s smartphone or social media use, Thailand has yet to establish comparable safeguards.

France has banned mobile phones in schools for younger students since 2018.

Australia is implementing age-verification requirements for social media, while Singapore maintains one of Asia’s most comprehensive digital regulatory frameworks.

Thailand’s regulatory structure, by contrast, remains fragmented.

Existing laws governing online platforms — including the Computer Crime Act and platform registration regulations — were drafted before today’s AI-powered digital ecosystem emerged.

Mr Thanakorn argues Thailand requires a comprehensive overhaul of its digital legislation.

New laws should require global technology platforms to pay taxes on revenue generated within the country while assuming greater responsibility for illegal or harmful content distributed through their services, rather than placing the legal burden primarily on individual users.

Mr Thanakorn also called for the government to establish national digital learning platforms that provide high-quality education content and create trusted public digital infrastructure that is accessible to students, educators and content creators.

Motorists on the main highway between Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai were being advised on Thursday to drive carefully as workers are draining floodwater from the surface in some locations.

Highway 118 was partially, but not seriously, flooded in Wiang Pa Pao district of Chiang Rai and drivers needed to be alert to conditions, the Chiang Rai Public Relations Office said.

Workers from the Wiang Pa Pao municipal office are using equipment to pump floodwater away from the road.

Several locations in Wiang Pa Pao and Muang districts of Chiang Rai were flooded due to torrential rain on Thursday morning. Flooding was also reported in other northern provinces, including Chiang Mai.

Highway 118 is the main road for tourists and traders between the two provinces. The road is always busy during long weekends, with tourists in private vehicles and tour buses. Wiang Pa Pao is located roughly midway and is a popular rest stop for buses and trucks.

The Meteorological Department has warned of rain until Friday in all regions of the country. A downpour red alert has been issued for five provinces: Phetchabun, Nakhon Nayok, Rayong, Chanthaburi and Ranong.

A Qatari man is facing deportation after a series of unprovoked attacks on six people – including dragging a woman from her wheelchair – during a violent outburst in Hua Hin.

The incident occurred on Sunday evening after the man, a Qatari national, came out of a cannabis shop in the beach town in Prachuap Khiri Khan, according to Hua Hin Today.

Video of the attack has since been widely shared on social media.

Witnesses told Thai media that the incident began inside the cannabis shop, where the man damaged property and attacked another customer before moving outside and assaulting anyone who came near him.

Suchitra Namthong, 20, a nail technician who filmed part of the incident, said she heard the argument from where she was working in the store opposite.

She said the man attacked another person before shouting and turning on a motorcyclist who had arrived to collect his girlfriend.

The man then approached a disabled woman selling flowers from a wheelchair on the street corner. He is seen pulling away her flowers, striking her in the face and dragging her from the wheelchair.

Several people later intervened and managed to restrain the man. Ms Suchitra said about five people were needed because of his large size.

A 32-year-old cannabis shop employee said she was also injured after going downstairs to investigate the noise.

She said the man struck her on the left side of her face as soon as she opened the door. A cyclist who attempted to intervene was also attacked.

She believed the violence followed an argument with another customer, possibly over religion.

Doctors at Hua Hin Hospital said six people were treated for minor injuries.

Hua Hin Police said Abdulla Yousif Ha Al-Harqan, 40, had entered Thailand on a tourist visa valid until Sept 22, 2026. He is facing a charge of assault.

Police on Monday mediated talks between the victims and their attacker, who reportedly agreed to pay a total of 100,000 baht in compensation to the victims, including 25,000 baht to the woman in the wheelchair.

The man was expected to have his visa revoked and to be deported following the completion of the legal process.

Unsold residential inventory is expected to exceed 610,000 units by year-end as a growing number of second-hand homes enter the market, while demand remains constrained by weak purchasing power, according to Kasikorn Research Center (K-Research).

The research house said the housing market continues to face an imbalance between supply and demand, with accumulated inventories rising despite a sluggish recovery in home purchases.

Residential inventory reached 590,000 units nationwide in the first quarter of 2026, up 7.2% year-on-year, driven by a sharp increase in resale homes offered for sale.

Second-hand housing listings climbed 34.2% to 240,000 units as individual owners, financial institutions and asset management companies accelerated property disposals.

In contrast, unsold new homes held by developers declined 6% year-on-year to around 350,000 units after developers curtailed new project launches amid slowing market conditions.

Although new home inventory eased slightly, it remained elevated as developers were cautious and prioritised clearing stock over expanding supply, noted K-Research.

Accumulated residential inventory is now almost twice the country’s average annual housing transfer volume, intensifying competition across the market.

The widening supply overhang has strengthened buyers’ bargaining power, while putting greater pressure on developers’ sales strategies, pricing and financial performance, said the think tank.

Greater Bangkok accounted for 52% of nationwide unsold inventory, equivalent to more than 310,000 units. Other major economic provinces, including Chon Buri, Phuket and Chiang Mai, also recorded rising inventories of both new and resale housing.

Homes priced at less than 3 million baht represented more than 60% of total inventory, or about 355,000 units, highlighting a persistent glut in the mass market segment.

However, the fastest growth was for homes priced more than 10 million baht, where accumulated inventory jumped 48% year-on-year to 46,000 units.

The increase was driven largely by resale properties rather than new launches, suggesting affluent owners are bringing more assets to market, said K-Research.

The trend could narrow investment opportunities for developers that have increasingly shifted towards premium housing to avoid intense competition in lower-priced segments.

The think tank said the rapid expansion of luxury resale supply may intensify competition, even in higher-end markets that previously appeared more resilient.

The research house expects nationwide residential inventory to rise 4.5% this year to more than 610,000 units as second-hand listings continue increasing, while new project launches remain subdued.

Although the government extended transfer and mortgage fee reductions for homes priced up to 7 million baht, the measure is unlikely to fully offset weak consumer confidence and fragile purchasing power.

K-Research expects nationwide housing transfers to increase by 2.1% in 2026, despite a 13.4% year-on-year rise during the first four months, reflecting expectations that market momentum will soften in the second half.

The growing gap between inventory and demand suggests Thailand’s residential market is entering a more buyer-friendly phase, with developers likely to remain cautious on new investment until excess supply is gradually absorbed, noted the research house.

A controversy over gelato shop Parameter highlights the risks of controversial marketing while also drawing attention to other gelato brands, says a marketing lecturer.

Parameter, a gelato shop at Siam Paragon mall, has become the target of online mockery after promoting its gelato as “ultra-smooth” and requesting customers not to take a picture of its products.

The shop claimed that photographing the gelato would compromise its texture due to changes in temperature.

Meanwhile, Kris Srepoomseth, a Thai actor and the outlet’s chef, posted a video explaining his ability to film the gelato himself.

He said following training in Italy, he has the expertise to assess the product’s condition visually and understand how temperature affects its texture.

The store also faced online criticism, with some commenters describing its gelato as overpriced. Prices range from 159 baht to more than 500 baht per serving.

In response, Mr Kris posted a video noting Thai business operators often compete on price. However, lower prices may not necessarily provide product quality comparable to higher-priced alternatives.

He encouraged consumers to value brands that offer quality products at reasonable prices.

Mr Kris said many countries place greater value on innovation, product quality and creativity.

Asst Prof Buppa Lapawattanaphun, a lecturer in communication at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said the brand’s communication focuses on three points: limited availability, ultra-smooth texture and premium ingredients.

The brand appears to use a controversial marketing strategy by intentionally raising issues surrounding its products, which lead to public debate and discussion on social media, she noted.

This strategy generates buzz through word-of-mouth marketing and creates a sense of fear of missing out (FOMO), encouraging consumers to try the products themselves.

However, controversial marketing is risky because it exposes a brand to reputational risks, said Asst Prof Buppa.

While FOMO buzz may attract short-term attention, she said these strategies should be used with caution.

For long-term success, maintaining or improving product quality and customer service are essential, said Asst Prof Buppa.

This controversy has created business opportunities for the industry by increasing public interest in gelato, prompting consumers to visit other specialised gelato shops, she noted.

Residents in 15 Thai provinces, mostly in the North, are urged to be alert to possible landslides and forest runoff from Thursday to Saturday, according to the Department of Mineral Resources.

The department on Thursday asked volunteer networks in each province to closely monitor conditions and inform the public accordingly.

Provinces forecast to be at risk of landslides and forest runoff are:

North: Tak, Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Lamphun, Chiang Rai, Nan, Phayao, Prae, Uttaradit and Phetchabun

Central Plains: Kanchanaburi

East: Chanthaburi and Trat

South: Ranong and Phangnga.

The warning was issued as a monsoon trough was covering the North and Northeast, coinciding with a strong southwesterly wind, the department said.

Heavy rain has been pouring continuously in some areas, with 24-hour accumulation exceeding 150 millimetres.

Some residential areas have experienced flooding and forest runoff since last night, including Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chanthaburi and Petchabun, according to local media.

People are also being advised to move their valuables to higher ground.

Thailand’s national team were back on the training pitch at BGTC 3 on Wednesday, stepping up preparations for their Group B second fixture against Malaysia in the Asean Hyundai Cup 2026.

Defender Pansa Hemviboon, speaking ahead of the evening session, said the squad was in good shape with no fresh injuries following the opening match.

“Every player is ready for the next match. We had a full recovery in fitness terms,” he said. “Malaysia are a good side with a good standard — they’ve always played well against us, especially their strikers, who have real quality.”

Pansa added that a home crowd would give Thailand a lift. “I believe the fans will come out in full force. That will also help pressure the opponent. We have to beat Malaysia to keep our qualification hopes alive.”

Midfielder Worachit Kanitsribumphen said the squad’s condition was improving after a demanding double session.

“The coaching staff have been stressing fitness and tactics for the Malaysia game,” he said. “We need to be wary of their counter-attacking threat — they switch from defence to attack very quickly, and both their wingers and strikers are dangerous.”

Worachit praised the squad’s cohesion following the opening win over Laos and said the younger players had settled in well under head coach Anthony Hudson.

“Coach Hudson has told us not to underestimate anyone — Laos wasn’t easy, but we delivered. Malaysia is a must-win game at home. Three points here would give us a strong chance of topping the group.”

Worachit also acknowledged the physical toll of a congested travel schedule but said a lengthy rest period beforehand had left the squad refreshed and ready to face Malaysia.

Thailand face Malaysia on Saturday at Rajamangala Stadium, kicking off at 8pm.

Meanwhile, Thailand have been drawn alongside Vietnam, Pakistan and the Philippines in Group B for the inaugural Fifa Asean Cup, world football’s governing body confirmed on Wednesday.

The new tournament will be split into two divisions, with the top tier staged in Indonesia and the second division held in Hong Kong. The competition runs from Sept 24-Oct 3, with Fifa expected to confirm the full format and schedule in due course.

Foreign patients are increasing in Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) hospitals as investment in the industrial zone grows, says Phyathai Sriracha Hospital, part of the Phyathai-Paolo Hospital Group.

The EEC, which spans parts of Chon Buri, Rayong and Chachoengsao, has become a magnet for foreign direct investment, especially in industries such as electric vehicles and supply chains.

This influx of Chinese companies has brought thousands of workers to the region, many of whom are seeking medical care.

Chanchai Leesomprasong, executive director of Phyathai Sriracha, said Chinese patients represent a high-potential market due to their strong spending power.

“Chinese investors are flooding into Thailand, and with them comes a growing demand for healthcare services,” he said.

To meet this demand, Phyathai Sriracha has expanded its presence in the eastern region.

The hospital plans to open a new facility in Bowin, within Chon Buri’s Si Racha district, and is moving forward with plans to expand its Sriracha Bowin Hospital in phases: the first stage has 59 beds and is set for completion later this year, followed by expansions to 529 beds and ultimately 629 beds.

Phyathai Sriracha 1 currently has 257 beds, while Phyathai Sriracha 2 has 113 beds.

Dr Chanchai said revenue at the Bowin facility has increased by around 15%, largely driven by the rising number of Chinese patients.

Foreign patients account for 5-6% of Phyathai Sriracha’s patient base, but the hospital expects this figure to reach 10% by 2027, with Chinese nationals making up the majority.

The hospital’s outpatient department already serves roughly 6,000 people daily, including both Thai and foreign patients.

To enhance the patient experience, Phyathai Sriracha invested 400-500 million baht in renovating its platinum lounge, designed to cater to high-end patients with personalised care.

The hospital also earmarked 100 million baht for facility upgrades and maintenance this year.

Looking ahead, the hospital plans to invest in renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power to reduce costs and strengthen energy security.

Despite concerns about the growing demand for energy and water in the EEC, particularly from new data centres, Dr Chanchai expressed confidence in government measures to manage supply.

“We are prepared with our own strategies to cope with any shortages,” he said.