Category: The Bangkok Post

Ninety-two Thais deported from Laos face legal proceedings for alleged offences including telephone fraud and illegal entry.

The group was handed over to Thai officials on Tuesday at the Fourth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge checkpoint in Chiang Khong district after completing their cases in Laos.

Thai agencies screened the returnees under the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), finding no initial indicators of human trafficking. Most told officers they had travelled to Laos after seeing online job advertisements offering salaries of 18,000-25,000 baht a month, with free accommodation and food.

Fifteen returnees, including 11 men and four women, were found to have outstanding arrest warrants for offences including drug trafficking, theft, fraud, embezzlement and mule-account operations.

All 92 face proceedings in Thailand for illegal entry or departure, with each facing an estimated fine of 2,000 baht.

The tourism recovery and continued growth of the electronics market driven by the artificial intelligence (AI) boom are anticipated to support trade and the economy in the final quarter of this year, says a commerce official.

Visit Limlurcha, vice-chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said the electronics industry is benefiting from the AI boom and is expected to propel exports.

The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking projected export growth of 12-16% this year, up from its previous prediction of 8-10%.

While Thailand’s tourism sector is shifting its focus to attracting high-spending visitors and away from volume, Mr Visit believes tourism will continue to support economic growth in the final months of this year and into the first quarter of next year.

In the longer term, Thailand’s meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions industry offers a competitive advantage with a comprehensive value chain ready to welcome travellers covering accommodation, restaurants and tourist attractions.

He identified several policy priorities to support the future development of Thai industries.

For example, the country needs to ensure its electronics development benefits the broader population, Mr Visit said. Thailand also needs to develop human resources with stronger technological knowledge and skills.

Regarding agriculture and food processing, he suggested the country explore new opportunities in future food to build on existing products, expand into new markets and develop new marketing opportunities. This includes specialised food for athletes, older consumers, babies and others.

As the e-commerce market grows, Mr Visit said authorities need to ensure small retailers have access to digital market channels.

Meanwhile, Thai products should receive support to gain greater access to overseas e-commerce platforms. This needs stronger connections at both the government-to-government and business-to-business levels.

He also highlighted the need to address Thailand’s high household and corporate debt levels.

With businesses facing difficulties in obtaining loan approvals, he urged policymakers to ease debt burdens and improve access to financing so businesses can keep growing.

The teenage student who fired multiple shots at his school in Kamphaeng Phet province faces several charges, while the school has been closed for two days to review and improve safety measures.

Police said the Grade 9 student was charged with attempted premeditated murder, illegal possession of a firearm, illegal possession of a firearm in a public place and firing a gun in public without justifiable cause.

The 14-year-old was arrested at Wachiraprakarn Wittayakom School in Kamphaeng Phet’s Muang district on Wednesday afternoon after firing eight shots from a pistol belonging to his policeman father. One bullet grazed the neck of a school security guard, while other shots struck a car window and a teacher’s office.

According to police, the boy had earlier been suspended from onsite classes for two weeks. On Wednesday, he smashed a window of his father’s car and took the pistol and its magazines. His father was off duty at the time.

The teenager then walked two kilometres from his father’s house to the school, where he fired at a security guard at the entrance. Local media reported that he was also looking for a teacher who had exposed messages about guns that he had posted in a peer chat group. He then fired several shots inside the school compound.

The boy’s parents are divorced. His mother said her son had been under stress after being regularly bullied. She said he wanted to return to school because he missed his classes and friends.

Police found a receipt on the boy’s phone for the purchase of the hammer he allegedly used to smash the window of his father’s car. They also found a history of online searches for firearms and shooting-spree videos.

The 14-year-old had reportedly discussed plans for a gun attack at the school with friends.

School officials suspended onsite teaching on Thursday and Friday pending revisions of safety measures.

Many other schools across Thailand have tightened security, and some have even conducted active-shooter drills in recent weeks.

The heightened focus on safety followed an attack on Aug 7 at Debsirin Nonthaburi School that killed seven people, including the gunman, who had shot his grandparents to death earlier.

National parks officials have stepped up efforts to protect the red-whiskered bulbul by adding the species to the list of wildlife that may not be hunted in 40 additional no-hunting areas in Thailand.

A regulation issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on Sept 1 effectively extends hunting restrictions for the bird across all protected forest areas, including national forest reserves.

The move followed the removal of the red-whiskered bulbul from Thailand’s protected wildlife list, which took effect on Sept 1, said Atthapol Charoenchansa, director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP).

The government reclassified the bird as an economic species to support local livelihoods, cultural traditions and job creation, especially in southern border provinces where the songbird trade is popular.

Official surveys recorded 44,421 wild red-whiskered bulbuls nationwide, proving that populations are stable with strong reproduction rates and no immediate risk of extinction, authorities said.

The removal of the bird from the protected wildlife list under the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act could leave the species vulnerable, he said, as it had not been specifically included in the list of species protected in 40 no-hunting areas administered by the department.

The regulation now covers all such areas across the country.

The DNP has urged members of the public and all relevant parties to note that all conservation forests and national forest reserve areas are now protected habitats for the red-whiskered bulbul. (Story contnues below)

The expanded protection announced by the DNP applies at the following wildlife sanctuaries:

Thale Noi

Bung Boraphet

Wild Peat Swamp

Bang Phra Reservoir

Doi Suthep

Tham Lawa-Tham Daowadung

Wat Tan Aen

Wat Phai Lom and Wat Amphuwararam

Bung Kering Ka Wia and Nong Nam Sap

Khao Phra Thaew

Khao Kradong

Wat Tham Rakhang-Khao Phra Non

Prakrad

Bueng Chawak

Tham Pha Tha Phon

Khao Yai-Khao Na Pha Tang and Khao Ta Phrom

Khlong Lam San

Rang Kai

Laem Talumphuk

Khao Pakang-Laem Kham

Nong Nam Khao

Pru Khang Khao

Khao Prathap Chang

Tham Chao Ram

Nong Han Kumphawapi

Tham Prathun

Khao Kra Pook-Khao Tao Mo

Don Lamphan

Sa-am

Phanthai Norasing

Lam Nang Rong

Bung Lahan

Song Khwae

Kut Thing

Bo Pho-Pak Thong Chai

Bang Yang

Phutthabat Chon Daen

Mae Mai

Huai Thap Sala-Huai Rabam

Sri Sawat

Thailand is well suited for global investments with strengths and a strategic geographical location to benefit businesses, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Thursday.

Mr Anutin said the country can offer foreign investors an experienced workforce, suppliers, logistics and digital networks and financial services, with a strong base in the automotive, electronics, food, healthcare and tourism industries.

These strengths make up the ‘depth’ that is the country’s key asset, he said in a keynote speech titled ‘Thailand’s Offer to the World’ at the Bangkok Business Summit 2026: Reinvent Thailand, Resilient Asean.

‘Thailand offers depth – not simply a location on the map’, he said.

‘This means an investor can arrive with a new idea and find the partners needed to turn it into a product, bring it to market, and scale it.

‘Thailand is not a blank slate. We already have the industries, services and human networks on which the next economy can be built.’

The forum was organised by the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking. It is part of Thailand’s preparations for hosting the IMF-World Bank Group Annual Meetings in October.

Comprising the Thai Bankers’ Association, Board of Trade of Thailand and the Federation of Thai Industries, the JCCIB plays a key role in shaping national economic policy, advising the government and promoting business competitiveness.

Mr Anutin said the location of the kingdom in the centre of Southeast Asia has made Thailand a regional platform for access to other markets in the region.

Investors can benefit from Thailand’s ‘economic asset’ by working with partners from East and West amid rising tensions in geopolitics, he added.

‘Another strength lies in our ability to bring together industries that are too often developed separately,’ he said.

The prime minister said the global economy is undergoing simultaneous changes in four areas: geopolitics, technology, climate and demographic structure. Therefore, Thailand cannot remain stagnant and must adapt to transform challenges into opportunities for building a stronger, more competitive and resilient nation.

‘Longevity economy’

While Thailand has become an ageing society, he dismissed this as a weakness and said the government can tap benefits by turning a challenge into an opportunity.

‘Thailand can build a ‘longevity economy’ in which people remain healthy, skilled, economically active and connected throughout their lives, while creating new opportunities in healthcare, wellness, tourism and technology,’ he said.

Thursday’s event was being attended by more that 400 people, including Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, senior executives from the government, domestic and international businesses, and international organisations.

Mr Anutin also emphasised that the government has a duty to make Thailand an attractive and secure investment destination for the long term.

This will be achieved by revising over 7,000 regulations that burden citizens and businesses, and by upgrading standards through OECD membership to build international confidence.

‘Thailand is ready to be more than just a production base or a sales market, but wants to be a partner in building industries that will shape the future,’ he said.

Police have seized 16,245 counterfeit memory cards after complaints that fake products sold online caused severe damage to customers’ data and computer systems.

The Economic Crime Suppression Division searched an unnumbered warehouse in Khlong Song, Khlong Luang district, following complaints from customers who had bought memory cards and flash drives online.

Customers reported that the products either failed to work, provided less storage than advertised or caused suspected virus-like problems, with some suffering serious data loss.

Police, working with representatives of trademark rights holders, found six types of counterfeit memory cards bearing the Oppo, SanDisk, HP, Xiaomi, Kingston and FNK Vision trademarks.

An employee told police the business was owned or managed by a foreign investor. Police are expanding the investigation to identify all those involved.

The Thai speciality coffee segment is growing, with several local brands expanding their stores and foreign brands entering the market.

An industry veteran said small speciality café operators should focus on niche offerings and adapt quickly to trends.

Nattiti Ampaiwan, president of the Specialty Coffee Association of Thailand (SCATH), noted the growth across Thailand’s artisanal coffee value chain from plantations and processing to roasteries and cafés.

He said farmers are shifting from producing coffee for the mass market to focusing more on speciality coffee and improving their processing methods.

Thailand produced about 16,000 tonnes of coffee in the 2024/2025 crop year, according to the Office of Agricultural Economics.

Of that amount, Mr Nattiti estimates speciality coffee accounts for 30% of the volume.

“The association has encouraged the shift to speciality coffee, which delivers higher returns per unit of land,” he said.

The emergence of “speciality everyday” café chains in recent years, offering craft coffee at accessible prices, targets the mass market and has led to rapid expansion, said Mr Nattiti.

While speciality coffee shops generally charge higher prices, these chains offer a cup of coffee from 60 baht, aiming to attract the mass market.

These new chains are likely to compete with large international brands with limited impact on local small speciality coffee shops, he noted.

However, pricing could disrupt small operators if chains set prices below cost, said Mr Nattiti.

NICHE APPROACH

Smaller Thai cafés have an advantage in terms of agility and their ability to quickly adapt to trends, he said. Larger operators with extensive operations may not be able to offer the same level of niche services.

Smaller operators can adopt a niche approach by offering diverse products in a single store such as beans from different origins. Smaller cafés can swiftly update menus, provide varied price points and create unique store designs and customer experiences, said Mr Nattiti.

The entry of foreign speciality brands is positive, he said, as it energises the market and enhances the image of the country’s coffee market among consumers.

Last month Blue Bottle Coffee, a US-based speciality coffee chain now owned by Chinese private equity firm The Centurium Capital, launched two Bangkok stores.

SCATH is partnering with The Cloud, a Thai media and event organiser, to host Thailand Coffee Fest 2026, bringing together more than 400 operators across the coffee value chain and aiming to position Thailand as a global coffee destination.

The event runs from Sept 10-13 at Impact Exhibition Centre, featuring knowledge-sharing sessions on trends and innovations and competitions such as the Thailand National Barista Championship 2027.

Authorities have declared the area surrounding the fire-damaged Khlong Thom Centre building a restricted fire zone as they move in to dismantle debris.

The Pomprap Sattruphai district office said on Wednesday the fire and smoke at the site had been completely extinguished.

Authorities will now begin dismantling debris and opening up the area using heavy machinery and steel-cutting equipment, while taking precautions to prevent unstable structures from shifting or collapsing.

Officials from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation are cutting through damaged steel and structural debris to clear access for forensic officers investigating the blaze’s cause and origin. Particular attention is being focused on Block 5, Zone C, and areas where multiple layers of steel structures have collapsed on top of one another.

The district office has issued orders under the Building Control Act declaring the fire site and surrounding area within a 30-metre radius a restricted zone for 45 days from the date of the fire. Owners, occupants and other stakeholders must cooperate with officials conducting structural safety inspections.

Officials said much of the remaining debris consisted of electronic waste, requiring strict controls during removal and disposal to prevent hazardous chemicals from leaking into surrounding communities.

Forensic investigators continue to search for the fire’s point of origin and determine its cause, with authorities considering all possibilities, including an electrical short circuit or deliberate action.

Police have cordoned off the site and are preventing unauthorised people from entering, while police are guarding access points to maintain security and prevent theft.

Meanwhile, 228 people had registered for assistance following the fire as of Tuesday. Of those, 137 had submitted complete documentation. A registration centre at Wat Phra Phiren remains open daily for affected people to submit additional documents.

Environmental officials have also collected samples of residual waste and contaminated firefighting water for laboratory testing. Results are expected within 14 days.

A new campaign to tackle homelessness in Bangkok has brought some people into the system but a majority are declining help, according to Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

During the first seven days of a multi-agency operation, 37 people were willing to enter the government support system while 59 were not, BMA officials said on Thursday.

Since the project launch on Aug 27, a total of 96 people – 70 men and 26 women – entered the screening process, deputy Bangkok governor Sanon Wangsrangboon said.

The group comprised 49 homeless individuals, 36 elderly people, six with disabilities and five with mental health conditions.

Fifty-six people underwent physical health examinations and two were referred for further medical treatment. Sixteen people received assessments from the Mental Health Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team.

A total of 30 individuals were referred to the Baan Imjai shelter for care. Another seven people were transferred to protection facilities operated by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, with four in protective care and three sent to their hometowns.

Authorities also coordinated with the relevant agencies regarding one Lao national.

Fifty-nine people declined support services, but officials would continue engaging with them through dialogue, trust-building and case-by-case assessments, Mr Sanon said.

For the second phase of operations, the BMA and partner agencies will deploy teams at five strategic locations around Rattanakosin Island to monitor vulnerable populations 24 hours a day.

Key locations include Ratchadamnoen Road, the Rattanakosin Hotel area, Trok Sake, Boonsiri Road, the Supreme Court area and the bridge behind it.

Bangkok has coordinated with the Department of Employment, foundations and partner organisations to connect residents of Baan Imjai shelter with suitable jobs, such as housekeeping, office work and construction.

In April this year, the BMA said more that 70 people were employed after being assisted by the shelter.

The removal of Thailand’s red-whiskered bulbul (nok krong hua juk) from the protected wildlife list does not allow people to trap the birds in the wild, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin stressed.

Mr Suchart said a ministerial regulation removing the species from the protected list took effect on Sept 1, allowing legal breeding, propagation and trade under relevant regulations.

He said the change applies to captive birds and does not remove protection for wild populations. The ministry will step up patrols, checkpoints and enforcement in national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, reserved forests and no-hunting areas to prevent illegal trapping and wildlife trafficking.

The ministry will also work with breeders’ associations and networks to survey and register captive birds, regulate their movement and improve animal welfare.

Mr Suchart said legal breeding could support longstanding bird-keeping traditions, particularly in southern Thailand, while creating jobs, generating income and developing the species as an economic animal. The ministry plans to establish standards for breeding farms and cages, register breeding facilities and introduce standard identification marks for individual birds.