Category: The Bangkok Post

The United Nations human rights body has welcomed a Thai Court of Appeal decision upholding the acquittal of three human rights activists in a long-running criminal defamation case brought by the Thammakaset poultry company.

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said the ruling was ‘an important milestone in the implementation of international human rights standards on business and human rights in relation to the work of human rights defenders who raise legitimate concerns about alleged corporate abuse’.

Fortify Rights also welcomed the judgement upholding the acquittal of Angkhana Neelapaijit, Thanaporn Saleephol and Puttanee Kangkun, which came seven years after the case began and more than three years after the trial court acquitted all three defendants on Aug 29, 2023.

The case had its origins in reports that migrant workers at the Thammakaset farm in Lop Buri province were forced to work up to 20 hours per day, paid less than the minimum wage and had their identity documents confiscated by employers.

Fourteen Myanmar workers told the media and human rights groups that the allegations were true, resulting in the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare in August 2016 ordering Thammakaset to pay workers 1.7 million baht in compensation, which the company finally handed over in 2019.

Thammakaset in November 2019 filed a criminal defamation suit against the three defendants, focusing on 30 posts or reposts on social media. They contained messages of solidarity for human rights defenders and migrant workers facing lawsuits brought by the company, with links to news releases that included a video produced by Fortify Rights.

Each count of criminal defamation under sections 326 and 328 of the Criminal Code carries a penalty of up to two years in prison and a fine of 200,000 baht.

Monday’s appeal ruling stated that the public comments, interviews and online postings by the three defendants were not responsible for damages caused to Thammakaset. Betagro, one of the country’s largest poultry processors, was among the companies that cancelled contracts with Thammakaset after the allegations became public.

The judges said their ruling is final and cannot be appealed to the Supreme Court since the acquittals have now been upheld in the court of first instance and the appeal court.

Fortify Rights said a narrow exception applies only if a judge who heard the case certifies that it raises an important question for the Supreme Court, or if the director-general of the Office of the Attorney General signs the appeal.

Between 2016 and 2020, Thammakaset filed a total of 39 criminal and civil complaints against 22 individuals, including migrant workers, journalists and human rights defenders, with Ms Angkhana and her colleagues among them.

According to the OHCHR, members of Thailand’s private sector continue to use strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPP) to silence and harass human rights activists, causing them costly and lengthy legal processes as well as inflicting fear upon them.

‘SLAPP cases lead to self-censorship, significant stress and financial burden through protracted litigation and also can jeopardize the safety and security of those speaking out,’ said Katia Chirizzi, deputy Southeast Asia sepresentative of the UN Human Rights Office in Bangkok.

Ms Thanaporn, a former Fortify Rights communications associate, said the reasoning used by the Court of Appeal ‘could serve as an example for other defamation cases that are SLAPP suits’.

UN review coming up

Thailand is due for a periodic review of its rights policies by the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Nov 9. In a report submitted for the review, the government highlights progress on SLAPP suits, ‘the specific type of bad-faith lawsuits this case represents’, said Fortify Rights, referring to the Thammakaset case.

The government says it is drafting an anti-SLAPP bill to prevent and address such suits and to strengthen protection for human rights defenders, the media, civil society and the public when they exercise their rights in good faith for the public interest.

‘We should never have faced criminal charges for speaking out about workers’ rights,’ said Ms Puttanee, a director at Fortify Rights.

‘Today’s ruling brings enormous relief, but it can’t return the seven years we spent defending ourselves. Thailand should decriminalise defamation so that others do not have to endure what we did.’

The government has stepped up security along the Thai-Myanmar border after fighting between Myanmar government forces and rebel troops caused damage to homes and injured people on the Thai side.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Monday that Thai authorities are fully prepared to defend territory and protect the people, with patrols increased to strengthen border security.

Military commanders have been instructed to do their best to avoid clashes and minimise tensions because the conflict in Myanmar is not related to Thailand and Thai people, he said.

However, chief of defence forces Gen Ukrit Boontanon and Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow have formally informed the Myanmar government of Thailand’s concerns following the spillover.

Myanmar has been urged to exercise caution to prevent attacks from harming civilians, homes and property on either side of the border, Mr Anutin said.

He stressed that Thailand would continue to provide humanitarian assistance to people fleeing the fighting in Myanmar. When conditions are considered safe, they would be asked to return home, and those who attempt to remain in Thailand would be pushed back, he added.

The prime minister also said there was no confirmation of reports that Thai traders were threatened with the destruction of their goods if they sold their products to Karen groups.

Fighting between Myanmar forces and ethnic armed groups and anti-government forces continued to threaten civilians along the Thai border. Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Tak were placed under heightened surveillance.

The latest confirmed damage was in Mae Hong Son, while cross-border ammunition and explosions affected residents in Tak in late October.

No damage from the latest incidents was reported in Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai, but the Ministry of Interior ordered stepped-up surveillance, evacuation plans, safety zones, and public care measures.

On Thursday, stray munitions damaged more than 10 homes in Tak’s Mae Sot district and injured a 55-year-old woman. At about 7pm on Saturday, the Myanmar air force carried out an air strike at a Karen National Union (KNU) position, opposite Ban Mae Sam Laep in Sop Moei district of Mae Hong Son. The explosions and shockwaves damaged buildings on the Thai side.

On Sunday, the Royal Thai Air Force deployed an F-16 from the 403rd Squadron at Wing 4 in Nakhon Sawan under a Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) at about 5pm along the western border.

Air Vice Marshal Charoen Wattanasrimongkol, an air force spokesman, said the mission is intended to demonstrate Thailand’s air defence readiness and to call on all sides to respect its sovereignty.

The Naresuan Task Force has also suspended temporary permission for imports and exports through unauthorised border channels in Mae Sot and parts of Phop Phra district from Oct 30 to Nov 5.

Deputy government spokesperson Lalida Persvivatana said the measure aims to prevent goods from being transported to support armed groups in Myanmar and reduce risks to people living along the border.

Pisan Manawapa, a member of the opposition’s shadow cabinet, on Monday criticised the government’s diplomatic approach to Myanmar, saying its reluctance to take a firmer stance undermines Thailand’s dignity and causes hardship for Thai people.

The opposition has accused the government of monopolising political power, exploiting public funds and failing to address economic pressures and flooding ahead of a proposed censure debate.

Speaking in parliament on Monday, People’s Party (PP) leader and list MP Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut said a general debate without a vote under Section 152 of the constitution was one option available to the opposition.

However, the government should respect parliamentary procedures, including no-confidence debates under Section 151, committee hearings and question time, he said.

He criticised Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul for using visits to parliament mainly to greet MPs instead of taking his place in the chamber to answer questions.

“Even though we have made it clear that we are ready whenever the PM and the cabinet are, we still have yet to see them demonstrate a sense of responsibility towards parliament,” he said.

The PP regarded Section 152 as one of the available scrutiny mechanisms. Whether to seek such a debate would depend on the political situation, he said.

PP list MP and deputy leader Parit Wacharasindhu said the opposition was ready for a no-confidence debate under Section 151, with evidence, arguments and speaking time prepared.

Mr Parit said it would focus on the government’s monopolisation of power, exploitation of public funds and day-to-day handling of national issues.

These included alleged attempts to manipulate Senate elections and weaken checks and balances.

A second focus would be suspected budget irregularities and corruption, including fraud in local government recruitment examinations.

The debate would also cover economic hardship and crises such as energy costs and flooding, which the government had failed to anticipate and therefore dealt with only as they arose, he said.

Mr Parit declined to disclose individual MPs’ debate topics, saying early disclosure could allow evidence to be concealed or interfered with.

He said discussions had also been held with the opposition Klatham Party and an understanding reached that cabinet ministers must be scrutinised, as in a censure debate. Klatham may receive a smaller time quota because it was not a signatory to the censure motion.

The cabinet on Tuesday approved a Transport Ministry proposal to cap Bangkok electric train fares at 45 baht on all lines, to ease the strain on commuters’ wallets as the cost of living soars.

Deputy spokeswoman Ploythalay Laksameesaengjan said the fare limit applies to the 2027 calendar year. It received the green light from the cabinet duringthe meeting held in Udon Thani province.

Fares will start at 17 baht, with a maximum ticket price of 45 baht per trip.

The new fares will be applied to all lines operating in Greater Bangkok and be for Thai commuters only. It was aimed at easing costs for regular workers using the mass transit train system.

The ministry said earlier that passengers will have to pay the full fare up front, with the price difference reimbursed through the Pao Tang app.

The cabinet approved the allocation of about 5.8 billion baht to subsidise the fares, and another 22 million baht for the cost of returning the transaction money to passengers, Ms Ploythalay said.

The draft amendment of the Game Industry Promotion Act is back to square one as it faces major revisions, raising concerns over further delays to the law’s implementation.

Kittipong Prucksa-aroon, president of the Thailand Game Software Industry Association, said the original draft, prepared by the Digital Economy Promotion Agency under the previous government, had already completed two rounds of public hearings before being substantially revised by current Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Chaichanok Chidchob.

The latest changes cover several key provisions, including the scope of the proposed legislation and the composition of committees responsible for overseeing and promoting the industry.

The extent of the revisions means the bill will have to restart much of its drafting and legislative process.

One significant change is the proposed expansion of the legislation beyond electronic games to cover other forms of gaming, including board games, card games and e-sports, which are now being considered for inclusion.

The association has also raised concerns over the governance structure proposed in the original draft, particularly the dominance of government representatives on the main committee responsible for promoting the gaming industry.

Under the original proposal, the Gaming Industry Promotion Committee would comprise 27 members, including 20 government representatives and seven private sector representatives.

This would give the public sector a two-thirds majority, leaving the industry with only one-third of the seats.

Mr Kittipong said the association believes the arrangement would undermine meaningful private sector participation in policy formulation and industry development.

It has therefore proposed a more balanced structure, with equal representation between the public and private sectors, representing a 50:50 ratio.

The association has also suggested streamlining the committee structure.

The original draft envisaged at least four committees, including the main Gaming Industry Promotion Committee, as well as sub-committees overseeing the industry development fund, regulatory matters and registration and control.

Under the association’s proposal, the additional sub-committees should be dissolved, with only the fund committee retained alongside the main committee.

Another major issue is the proposed establishment of a dedicated fund to support the development of Thailand’s gaming industry.

Mr Kittipong said incorporating a fund into the legislation would require additional scrutiny and consideration by the Ministry of Finance, adding another layer of complexity to the legislative process.

The fund mechanism would therefore make the bill more complicated than a conventional industry promotion law, potentially extending the time required for government review and approval.

Even if the drafting and revision process can be completed soon, the bill would still need to undergo another round of public hearings before being submitted to the relevant ministries and subsequently forwarded to the cabinet for consideration.

It would then have to proceed through the parliamentary legislative process before becoming law.

Given these procedural requirements, the association estimates that enactment could take at least another two years.

The prolonged process risks delaying the establishment of a clear regulatory and promotional framework for Thailand’s gaming industry, at a time when the sector is seeking greater institutional support, stronger policy coordination and a more conducive environment for business development and investment.

DES Minister Chaichanok Chidchob said Thailand’s digital content market commands an overall value exceeding 50 billion baht, with the gaming sector accounting for 37 billion baht, with significant room for further expansion.

The ministry is advancing the Game Industry Promotion Act to establish systemic mechanisms that support the industry across its entire value chain, he added.

The National Tourism Policy Committee has approved the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) proposal to seek visa exemptions for Mexican and Colombian visitors staying for under 30 days, while also endorsing the fourth National Tourism Development Plan, which targets 4 trillion baht in tourism revenue in 2032 and a top-30 ranking in the global Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI).

The committee meeting on Oct 30, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Suphajee Suthumpun, approved the draft National Tourism Development Plan for 2028-2032 under the theme “Driving Thai Tourism Towards Global Excellence”.

The plan aims to transform Thailand into a world-class destination capable of generating at least 4 trillion baht in tourism revenue and improving its global TTDI ranking to the top 30, from 38th this year.

Five strategic pillars will support this goal: enhancing the quality and value of tourism products and services that reflect Thai identity while improving infrastructure; promoting sustainability and low-carbon destinations; boosting competitiveness through AI-driven investment and capability development for tourism operators; strengthening resilience through improved safety, security and crisis-management measures; and fostering data-driven collaboration among stakeholders.

Mrs Suphajee said the committee also approved submitting the TAT’s proposal to the Foreign Ministry to seek visa exemptions for Mexican and Colombian visitors staying for less than 30 days, in addition to visitors from Uzbekistan and Belarus, whose proposals had already received the committee’s approval.

According to the TAT, Mexican and Colombian visitors generated nearly 4 billion baht in tourism revenue from 77,445 arrivals, with average spending of 50,932 baht per person.

While the proposal awaits consideration by the visa policy committee, the Tourism Minister also urged the Foreign Minister to expedite the e-visa process, as travellers from these countries are currently facing delays.

Meanwhile, the committee reported that congestion at Suvarnabhumi Airport has eased following the expansion of automated arrival gates from covering two countries to 33 countries and territories, accounting for 57% of all arrivals last year.

As the Ministry of Tourism and Sports moves ahead with plans to restructure its tourism functions and merge them with those of the Culture Ministry, Mrs Suphajee also instructed the committee to establish a tourism strategy subcommittee during the transition period to oversee implementation of the plan ahead of the parliamentary debate on Nov 4.

?Thailand’s ?cabinet ?on approved an increase in the excise tax ?on ?fully imported electric vehicles (EVs) to 35% from 10%, Finance ?Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said, part of a new tiered tax structure ?aimed at encouraging investment ?and local .

The tax rate is slated to rise from Jan 1, 2027, according to reports.

The government’s plan to raise excise taxes on completely built-up (CBU) EVs imported without a manufacturing base in Thailand has two main objectives. They include protecting investors who have already invested in manufacturing plants and supply chains in Thailand and encouraging automakers that still rely on imports to accelerate negotiations with the government to establish local production facilities.

Thailand is a ?major ?regional production and ?export hub for car manufacturers, such as ?BYD (Build Your Dreams) ?and Toyota Motor.

The country registered 22,587 new EVs and electric motorcycles in September 2026, up 89.7% from a year earlier, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), citing statistics from the Department of Land Transport.

Passenger EVs alone reached 19,425 units, a 98.6% year-on-year jump.

During the first nine months of this year, total EV registrations hit 191,273 units, an 83% increase over the same period in 2025, with electric passenger cars accounting for 167,789 of the total.

The FTI expects full-year 2026 registrations to reach between 200,000 and 220,000, compared with roughly 120,000 in 2025.

For charging infrastructure, Thailand had 5,021 charging locations with 15,290 connectors nationwide as of the end of September.

A new bus route has been added on the resort island to serve commuters and travellers between the airport and Rawai beach.

The electricity-powered, air-conditioned buses made their debut on Sunday, with fares starting at 40 baht and ending at 120 baht.

The 51-kilometre Route 8580 offers 16 trips from 5.45am to 8pm, at roughly one-hour intervals, with 25 stops along the way.

The new line, the fifth on the island, is operated by the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation.

The office plans to extend the route from the airport to the Tha Chatchai checkpoint on the northern tip of the island, Phuket PAO president Raywat Arreerob said on Tuesday.

Thailand’s social security system is becoming increasingly inadequate to support its rapidly ageing population, with people over 60 projected to account for a third of the population over the next 25 years, according to Kiatnakin Phatra Financial Group (KKP).

The bank’s study found that people over 60 currently account for 24% of Thailand’s total population. The country is moving towards becoming a fully aged society, while its income per capita remains relatively low.

Moreover, Thailand is ageing faster than its regional peers despite having a comparatively low income level.

Amid limitations in government welfare provisions, Thais need to pay greater attention to retirement planning. More than 54% of Thai workers remain outside the social security system, while the old-age allowance covers only around 7% of their living expenses. Meanwhile, the pension system and Social Security Fund reserves are facing mounting pressure from demographic changes.

“These factors show that relying solely on government welfare is insufficient to maintain a reasonable quality of life after retirement. Government social welfare benefits could also decline over the next 20 years as the financial burden continues to increase,” said Pipat Luengnaruemitchai, chief economist at KKP.

According to the bank’s study, as many as 86% of Thais have yet to establish a savings plan or have been unable to follow through with one. In addition, more than 80% of their savings are concentrated in bank deposits and other low-risk assets, which typically generate returns insufficient to keep pace with inflation. As a result, nearly 70% of elderly people still rely on financial support from their children or have to continue working to earn a living.

Furthermore, Thais are expected to live longer. Around 47% of people who reach the age of 60 are projected to live until at least 85. Meanwhile, Thailand’s medical cost inflation is forecast to rise to 14.8% in 2026, significantly outpacing headline inflation.

Mr Pipat said the pressure is being compounded by rising healthcare costs, as health insurance policies increasingly adopt co-payment arrangements that require policyholders to shoulder a greater share of medical expenses. Consequently, investment strategies capable of generating returns above inflation while providing sufficient cash flow to support retirement living have become increasingly essential.

As part of efforts to help cope with these challenges, KKP on Monday introduced a two-stage retirement investment strategy designed to help investors accumulate wealth before retirement and generate regular income after leaving the workforce.

According to Narit Kosalathip, KKP’s head of personal investment advisory, the first stage features four KKP Ready Retire funds targeting retirement in 2035 and 2045, including retirement mutual fund (RMF) options. The funds automatically adjust their investment risk levels as investors approach retirement before transitioning into retirement income funds.

The second stage comprises KKP Lifelong Income and KKP Advanced Income, which combine high-quality dividend-paying stocks with fixed-income assets to help investors combat inflation. An automatic redemption mechanism enables retirees to receive regular cash flows, supporting either long-term wealth preservation for inheritance purposes or planned withdrawals to finance their retirement lifestyles.

Thailand’s industrial systems and seasoned workforce are its strongest competitive advantages as companies look to diversify production across Southeast Asia.

But infrastructure bottlenecks in grid capacity, green energy and high-end technical skills need to be addressed to help drive future investment, according to Jan Metzger, global head of coverage banking at Standard Chartered.

“Converting investment commitments into bankable projects requires sound commercial fundamentals,” Mr Metzger told the Bangkok Post.

“Lenders need confidence in demand and cash flows, supported by credible customer or offtaker commitments, appropriate financing tenor, and access to critical utilities and infrastructure.”

For digital infrastructure and hyperscalers, which demand round-the-clock power together with international zero-carbon mandates, energy reliability and sourcing are key.

“For power-intensive developments, project assessment must also address electricity supply, grid capacity, renewable-power access, water management, land use and the regulatory environment,” Mr Metzger said.

“For EV [electric vehicle] manufacturing, the same discipline extends across energy use, environmental requirements, and the sustainability of the wider supply chain.”

The Thai government has pushed for new investment in future technologies, including data centre hyperscalers, cloud service providers, and EV manufacturers.

This year the Board of Investment also tailored the incentives offered to foreign investors to focus more on green standards, domestic supply-chain integration and a “fast pass” process for strategic tech projects.

Overseas interest has boomed this year, with foreign direct investment applications during the first nine months reaching 1.55 trillion baht, up 62% year-on-year. Digital investments from companies such as TikTok System and Global Switch accounted for nearly 70% of the total project filings in value terms, according to the BoI.

Mr Metzger said that across Southeast Asia, different markets offer different strengths.

“Vietnam has strong momentum in export-oriented manufacturing, Malaysia has established capabilities in semiconductors and higher-value electronics, while Indonesia combines a large domestic market with natural-resource advantages, including in the EV battery value chain,” he said.

For Thailand, decades of supporting global auto and electronics supply chains are a key differentiator.

“Thailand’s distinct proposition is the depth of its industrial systems and established operating environment,” Mr Metzger said. “Its automotive, components and electronics industries bring strong supplier networks, production expertise and an experienced manufacturing workforce.”

Yet Thailand must also evolve if it is to capture the next wave of investment.

“To maintain its competitive position, Thailand can continue to strengthen its engineering capabilities, technology adoption and workforce skills, while addressing considerations such as grid flexibility, renewable-energy integration and exposure to fuel price volatility,” Mr Metzger said.

“The opportunity is to capture higher-value activities within Asean’s increasingly interconnected supply chains.”

Amidst an uncertain geopolitical environment, chief financial officers are focusing on resiliency and risk mitigation.

“In a more fragmented and volatile world, the priority for treasurers is to protect margins and ensure the business can continue trading, investing and meeting its obligations across a range of currency, interest-rate and geopolitical scenarios,” Mr Metzger said.

“Companies are also diversifying funding across banking partners, markets, currencies and tenors, maintaining committed facilities and improving visibility and control over cash. Regional liquidity structures, trade finance and supplier-finance programmes can help reduce trapped liquidity, strengthen critical suppliers and prevent a single disruption from constraining the wider business.”

For Standard Chartered, its presence in over 50 markets across Asia, Africa and the Middle East gives the bank a unique view on the needs of companies trading across borders.

Initiatives such as the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, for instance, has placed greater compliance and cost pressures on exporters in sectors such as steel, cement and electricity.

Mr Metzger said Standard Chartered had focused heavily on providing transition finance solutions to assist clients’ moves towards decarbonisation.

“Transition finance can support credible, investable decarbonisation plans through measures such as renewable-power procurement, energy-efficiency upgrades, electrification and process improvements,” he said.

Crucially, these credit lines are governed by rigorous performance benchmarks rather than broad environmental, social and governance labels.

“Financing can be linked to time-bound targets, measurable capital expenditure and appropriate governance, helping businesses preserve international market access while reducing the carbon intensity of their operations,” said Mr Metzger.