Category: The Bangkok Post

Forestry officials are questioning the environment ministry’s investigation into the death of the wild elephant Seedor Hu Pab, claiming that its conclusions contradict scientific findings previously reached by wildlife specialists.

A fact-finding committee set up by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment announced on Wednesday that officials responsible for capturing and relocating the elephant had acted negligently during the operation.

The committee also recommended additional investigations against those allegedly involved and proposed that compensation for the loss of the elephant’s life be pursued through a civil case against management and related personnel of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP).

The committee’s brief statement on the matter has prompted criticism from within the DNP itself, with senior staff expressing surprise that the ministry reached conclusions different from those of the DNP’s investigative committee.

A senior DNP source, who requested anonymity, said the DNP inquiry was conducted by wildlife experts who examined scientific evidence, witness accounts and operational details before concluding that the elephant died from respiratory failure during the relocation.

The source said the DNP had explained its findings at a press conference, while the ministry released only a one-page statement without detailing the evidence behind its decision.

“The ministry should clearly explain what evidence was used to reach conclusions different from those of the department’s expert committee,” the source said, adding that both investigations should be held to the same standard.

The source also noted that the Veterinary Council of Thailand is conducting its own investigation and urged the ministry to wait for the outcome before drawing conclusions.

According to the DNP’s findings, the veterinary team followed accepted medical guidelines, including administering an appropriate anaesthetic dose during the operation.

Authorities are investigating the death of a dugong found stranded on a beach in this southern province after discovering that both of its tusks had been removed.

Officials from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR), together with marine researchers, examined the carcass after it was found at Laem Son Na in tambon Koh Si Boya of Nuea Khlong district on Thursday.

The male dugong measured 3 metres in length. The carcass had begun decomposing but it remained largely intact, with only minor abrasions believed to have resulted from stranding.

Both tusks had been cut off, with sharp-force wounds detected around the mouth. They believed the tusks were removed after the protected marine mammal had died.

The rare marine species play a vital role in maintaining healthy seagrass ecosystems. Illegally removing their tusks or mutilating their carcasses is a serious offence under Thai law.

Authorities filed a complaint with Khlong Khanan police on Thursday and are pursuing legal action under the Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act.

Offenders can face 3-15 years in prison and a fine of 300,000 to 1.5 million baht.

The carcass was taken to the Lower Andaman Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre for a necropsy to determine the cause of death.

The private sector is optimistic that new US tariffs will not have a major impact on Thai exports, though businesses are urging the government to expedite trade negotiations to enhance the country’s competitiveness on the global stage.

Starting from midnight US time on Friday, the Trump administration has imposed new tariffs of either 10% or 12.5% on goods from its top 60 trading partners, including Thailand, due to allegations of forced labour violations, according to US officials.

The tariff rates differ depending on the seriousness of forced labour allegations determined by the administration.

While most nations received a tariff rate of 12.5%, Cambodia, India, Indonesia and Malaysia are subject to a lower rate of 10%.

Poj Aramwattananont, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said while Thailand faces a 12.5% tariff rate, most of its competitors have similar rates. As a result, the competitive landscape in the US market remains largely unchanged.

“Countries with slightly lower tariff rates may gain some competitive advantage,” he said.

“However, the gap is much narrower compared with previous measures and is unlikely to significantly impact the competitiveness of Thai businesses.”

The US is emphasising issues such as forced labour and excess production capacity in this round of trade measures, noted Mr Poj.

The private sector believes Thailand has not had a systemic forced labour problem for many years.

However, the country should accelerate the enactment and enforcement of relevant laws and regulations to increase confidence among trading partners and align with international standards, enabling Thailand to compete on a level playing field with countries that receive exemptions in the future, noted the chamber.

Regarding the US approach to excess capacity, Washington is still finalising the details and the measures could affect certain product categories. Thailand should expedite negotiations on the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade to help rebalance trade with the US, said Mr Poj.

The government and private sector should work together to prepare information and develop Thailand’s negotiating position with the US to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes, he said.

UNCERTAIN OUTLOOK

Dhanakorn Kasetrsuwan, chairman of the Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC), said while the 12.5% tariff rate is lower than an initial proposal, it remains a significant cost burden for Thai exporters.

The tariff is expected to weaken Thailand’s competitiveness relative to rival exporting countries, particularly if others secure lower tariff rates.

“The primary concern among the private sector is not only the tariff rate itself, but also the uncertainty surrounding US trade policy. This uncertainty has prompted buyers to delay purchase orders and made it more difficult for exporters to plan their operations,” he said.

TRADE TALKS

The TNSC encouraged the government to continue trade negotiations with the US while accelerating efforts to open new markets and support businesses in diversifying export destinations to high-potential markets such as India, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, thereby reducing excessive reliance on any single market.

Mr Poj said Thailand should accelerate efforts to finalise trade agreements that can reduce trade barriers and maintain the country’s long-term competitiveness.

“Thailand should use this opportunity to improve labour standards, enhance supply chain transparency, and advance trade agreements, turning this challenge into an opportunity to strengthen the country’s long-term competitiveness,” he said.

LABOUR RIGHTS

Thailand needs to demonstrate to Washington how it protects workers’ rights to avoid facing high tariff rates caused by forced labour, said Pimjai Leeissaranukul, chairwoman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).

Thai manufacturers have been complying with national labour protection laws and international standards on labour rights, she said.

Exporters must allow their manufacturing to be inspected by trading partners, said Mrs Pimjai.

“This advantage should be harnessed to ensure full traceability of products and raw materials across supply chains,” she said.

Stronger actions will build confidence among US authorities and support Thailand’s trade negotiations with the US, said Mrs Pimjai.

The US is a major export market for Thailand, with the shipment value during the first five months of 2026 reaching US$38 billion, up 40% year-on-year, according to the FTI.

“We also need to adopt a market diversification approach,” she said, as Thailand should not be overly reliant on certain markets.

Washington has exempted 2,120 Thai export products from an additional 12.5% tariff under Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974, accounting for more than half the value of Thailand’s exports to the United States, the Commerce Ministry said.

Exempted products include integrated circuits, hard disk drives, aircraft parts, natural rubber, rubber sheets and blocks, tapioca starch, fresh and processed pineapple, fresh and dried fruit, fresh coconuts and coconut water, and cane sugar.

Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun, who leads Thailand’s negotiations with Washington, said on Friday that the government was working urgently to secure a mutually beneficial agreement while preserving the longstanding trade relationship between the two countries.

She said Thailand’s goal was not merely to conclude talks quickly but to reach a balanced agreement that would not compromise public health, national security, the public interest or the government’s policymaking authority.

The United States launched the Section 301 investigation into Thailand over two issues: structural excess production capacity and the alleged failure to prohibit imports of goods produced using forced labour.

The new measure replaces the previous 10% tariff imposed under Section 122, which expired yesterday.

On Thursday, Washington issued its final determination, imposing retaliatory tariffs of 10% and 12.5% on affected countries.

Thailand is among 38 countries — including Vietnam, the Philippines and China — subject to the additional 12.5% duty on products outside the exemption list.

Vinit Visessuvanapoom, director-general of the Fiscal Policy Office, said the higher tariffs were unlikely to have a significant impact on the Thai economy.

He said the Commerce Ministry was negotiating with the United States over allegations of excess production capacity, including claims that Thailand imports goods from other countries for re-export to the US.

Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said the government was assessing the impact of the tariffs while coordinating with the Commerce Ministry.

As many major export products remain exempt, he said the overall effect should be limited, although some industries would face higher costs.

Officials will work with the private sector to identify the hardest-hit industries and determine appropriate support, including financial assistance and targeted measures to help exporters remain competitive.

Mr Ekniti said concluding negotiations with Washington was the government’s top priority, noting that several countries that had completed negotiations, particularly under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, had secured a lower 10% tariff rate.

He said the US focus on forced labour should be seen as an opportunity for Thailand to strengthen labour standards and production processes, improving competitiveness while reducing exposure to future trade barriers.

The Anutin Charnvirakul administration appears to be entering a new phase of governance – one marked less by headline-grabbing populist initiatives than by difficult policy recalibrations. Over the past few weeks, the government has quietly delayed, suspended or softened a number of high-profile initiatives, the latest being the Commerce Ministry’s proposed 40-baht curry rice scheme.

The move has fuelled criticism that the government is retreating from its own promises and lacks confidence in its policy direction. Yet, viewed collectively, these decisions suggest a more deliberate political strategy: reducing controversy ahead of the parliamentary debate on the 2027 fiscal budget while preserving room to pursue structural reforms the administration considers more important to the country’s long-term future.

At the centre of this strategy lies a difficult political calculation. The government appears willing to absorb short-term criticism if doing so improves its chances of implementing reforms previous administrations have largely avoided.

The shelving of the 40-baht curry rice scheme is the latest example.

Originally promoted by the Ministry of Commerce as a cost-of-living relief measure, the programme immediately drew criticism from restaurant operators, economists and opposition parties. Critics questioned both its practicality and whether subsidising prepared meals represented the best use of public funds at a time when fiscal discipline is becoming increasingly important.

Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun announced she had postponed plans to seek cabinet approval for the subsidised meal scheme, saying it would be reviewed following mixed public reaction.

‘The 40-baht price was discussed at the time because it appeared to be achievable, but it was never a final price. … The objective is to provide an affordable option for people with lower incomes,’ she said.

‘When there are differing opinions like this, we need to listen first and review the proposal carefully. At this stage, we are not proceeding with it.’

The curry rice scheme is not an isolated case.

Earlier this year, the administration abandoned a controversial proposal to raise the legal threshold distinguishing methamphetamine users from traffickers after strong opposition from anti-drug agencies and law enforcement officials.

The government has also slowed the implementation of several economic initiatives while reviewing their fiscal implications. Even in areas where it remains committed, such as cannabis regulation and constitutional reform, it has adopted a more cautious approach than many supporters initially expected.

To critics, these represent policy U-turns. To government supporters, however, they demonstrate pragmatism.

Coalition governments rarely enjoy the luxury of governing exactly as they campaigned. Fiscal realities, coalition compromises and public sentiment often require adjustments. The more important question is whether those adjustments reflect indecision or strategic prioritisation.

In the case of the Anutin administration, evidence tends to point towards the latter.

While several politically attractive programmes have been delayed, the government has shown little hesitation in pursuing what is arguably its most challenging initiative: comprehensive bureaucratic reform.

Unlike suspended populist measures, civil service reform offers almost no immediate political dividend.

Instead, it risks alienating one of the most influential constituencies.

The reform programme seeks to reduce the size of the bureaucracy, gradually shrink the civil service through attrition, modernise government agencies with digital technology and artificial intelligence, and overhaul the compensation structure for future civil servants.

Perhaps its most controversial element is the decision to reduce welfare benefits for newly recruited officials while protecting the entitlements of existing employees.

For decades, the civil service has offered generous pensions, healthcare benefits and job security, making government employment attractive despite relatively modest salaries. Reform advocates argue these commitments have become fiscally unsustainable as Thailand’s ageing population places increasing pressure on public finances.

The government believes the system must evolve before those obligations become an even heavier burden on future budgets.

Politically, however, the timing could hardly be more sensitive.

Civil servants remain a highly organised and politically influential group. Any attempt to reduce benefits is almost certain to provoke resistance from professional associations and opposition parties eager to portray the reforms as an attack on public servants.

Yet the administration appears determined to press ahead. According to a source, this willingness to confront politically difficult issues could ultimately make or break the government.

Successive administrations have acknowledged the need for bureaucratic reform. Numerous committees have produced reports calling for a leaner state, digital transformation and performance-based management.

Few have moved beyond recommendations as the political costs were simply too high.

The Anutin administration appears to have concluded that delaying reform would ultimately prove more costly than implementing it.

The country is seeing slowing economic growth, rising fiscal pressures and intensifying regional competition. Government expenditure continues to be dominated by recurrent spending, particularly salaries and welfare commitments, leaving less fiscal space for infrastructure investment, education and technological upgrading.

Without reform, these structural constraints are unlikely to ease.

Government supporters say this broader economic context helps explain why the administration is willing to retreat on smaller, more symbolic initiatives while pressing ahead with measures that could fundamentally reshape the state’s long-term finances.

There is also a clear parliamentary calculation. With debate on the annual budget bill approaching, the administration has every incentive to minimise unnecessary political confrontation.

Opposition parties will almost certainly scrutinise every spending proposal, searching for examples of waste, duplication or poorly designed populist policies. Suspending controversial programmes before they become major political liabilities reduces the number of vulnerable fronts the government must defend.

It allows ministers to focus parliamentary debate on broader fiscal priorities rather than individual policy controversies.

Whether this strategy succeeds depends largely on execution.

Backtracking can easily create an impression of indecisiveness if governments fail to explain why adjustments are necessary. Frequent policy reversals also risk undermining public confidence, particularly among voters who expect campaign promises to be honoured.

The administration therefore faces the challenge of demonstrating that these changes are not signs of weakness but evidence of responsible governance, the source said.

Equally important is the implementation of bureaucratic reform itself.

Announcing structural reform is considerably easier than carrying it out. Downsizing government agencies requires careful workforce planning, retraining, investment in digital technology and sustained political commitment over many years.

If the reforms become bogged down in bureaucratic resistance or disrupt public services, the political costs could quickly outweigh any long-term gains.

Conversely, success could transform the government’s political standing.

A leaner, more efficient civil service would strengthen fiscal sustainability, improve public service delivery and boost investor confidence. Savings generated from lower long-term personnel costs could be redirected towards healthcare, education, infrastructure and economic competitiveness.

Perhaps most importantly, successful reform would allow the government to claim it had achieved what many previous administrations merely discussed, the source said.

Masterminds in sight

The local administration recruitment scandal has entered a politically sensitive phase after allegations emerged that billions of baht were delivered to a cabinet minister in connection with the recruitment process.

The allegations, made by political activist Thaikorn Polsuwan, have fuelled speculation that the investigation could eventually implicate powerful politicians believed to have orchestrated the scheme.

According to Mr Thaikorn, two people claiming to work for the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) delivered more than three billion baht to a cabinet minister in the so-called ‘white building’.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has vowed to get to the bottom of the case.

Responding to the allegations, Mr Anutin said: ‘If the investigation leads to anyone, whether a minister in the white building or the cream building, everyone must face the consequences of their actions.’

The premier’s remarks are widely seen as an attempt to reassure the public that the investigation will not stop with lower-ranking officials. However, doubts remain over whether the government is prepared to pursue those believed to be behind the alleged network.

Mr Thaikorn told the Bangkok Post that public scepticism is understandable.

He said many previous high-profile corruption investigations had failed to reach senior political figures, with only lower-ranking officials facing punishment.

However, he said the circumstances surrounding this case are different.

‘As long as the mainstream media continue to follow the case and keep pressure on the prime minister, it will become increasingly difficult for anyone to stall the investigation.

‘I believe the prime minister now has little choice but to ensure the investigation moves quickly. Senior political figures will have to look after themselves,’ he said.

The exam fraud case took a significant step forward after the Interior Ministry’s central committee for local government recruitment examinations on July 17 ordered the cancellation of the recruitment list covering 5,924 candidates whose exam results were deemed suspicious.

Speaking after the decision, Interior permanent secretary Unsit Sampuntharat said the committee had exercised its authority under the Administrative Procedure Act to revoke the recruitment list and issue a new one.

The panel reviewed the results of more than 279,000 candidates who sat the exam, out of around 400,000 applicants. Irregularities were found in the results of 5,924 candidates who had already been appointed.

Mr Thaikorn said the cancellation marked significant progress and had helped restore some public confidence that the authorities were taking the issue seriously.

The real concern, he said, is what happens next, as investigations often slow down or lose momentum once they reach the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). Politically sensitive cases have frequently taken years to conclude.

He said public pressure must continue not only on the NACC but also on the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) to ensure investigators pursue those behind the operation rather than stopping with operational-level suspects.

Three key suspects have been arrested by the CIB’s Crime Suppression Division under warrants issued by the Criminal Court.

Sgt Maj Pichit Thangphrom, director of the Strategy and Budget Division of Wichian Buri municipality in Phetchabun, is accused of acting as an operational leader within the alleged network. He denied the allegations and declined to give a statement to police.

Win Thanaphatcharaphokin, former head of the working group for Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat, admitted sending examination files as part of the operation. The minister denied knowing Mr Win personally.

Sataporn Thanaphatcharaphokin, Mr Win’s sister, is accused of transferring examination files to a house in Nonthaburi where examination records were allegedly manipulated.

The trio face charges including criminal association, forging official documents, concealing or destroying official documents, and unlawfully disclosing official secrets.

Mr Thaikorn said investigators should now use information obtained from the three suspects to trace both the financial trail and those who directed the alleged operation.

He said he was confident police had all the facts and knew what had happened.

‘The question now is whether they are prepared to follow the evidence all the way to the real masterminds.’

He warned that if the case ended with only the three operational suspects being prosecuted, public confidence in the government’s commitment to tackling corruption would suffer. Mr Anutin would also be unable to avoid political responsibility, he said.

‘From what the PM said, it is clear he wants the case resolved quickly. But if that does not happen, I don’t believe the public will accept him staying in office,’ Mr Thaikorn said.

Reliable information is the foundation of every capital market. Whether investors are buying a few hundred shares or evaluating a multi-billion-baht acquisition, they make decisions assuming the information disclosed through official channels is accurate.

That assumption was shaken in Thailand when Supaporn Phimpong submitted a series of false Form 246-2 filings claiming significant share acquisitions in six listed companies. Although Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) later confirmed that no such holdings existed, the disclosures had already entered the public domain through the regulator’s online filing system, triggering widespread concerns over the integrity of Thailand’s disclosure framework.

Rather than an isolated case, the incident is widely viewed as the most significant test yet of Thailand’s self-reporting disclosure system, raising questions about how regulators can balance rapid disclosure with data accuracy while preserving investor confidence.

WHAT IS FORM 246-2 AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?

Form 246-2 is Thailand’s Report on Acquisition or Disposition of Securities. Under the Securities and Exchange Act, investors must file the form whenever their shareholding crosses every 5% threshold of a listed company’s voting rights, for example from 4.9% to 5.1%, or from 10% to less than 5%.

The disclosure serves an important market function, allowing investors to identify when major shareholders are accumulating or reducing stakes, whether control of a listed company is changing hands, and whether a takeover could be emerging.

Because institutional investors closely monitor these filings, Form 246-2 is often viewed as an early indicator of strategic investment activity. False information has the potential to mislead investors and distort market sentiment.

HOW IS SELF-REPORTING A WEAK LINK?

Thailand’s disclosure utilises the self-reporting principle. Shareholders submit the information themselves through the SEC’s online filing system, certify its accuracy, and the information is published automatically so the market receives timely disclosure.

Only afterwards does the SEC verify the information if irregularities emerge.

The Supaporn case exposed the main vulnerability of this approach — if someone intentionally files false information, the system does not automatically detect the discrepancy before publication.

According to the SEC, this framework is not unique to Thailand. Pornanong Budsaratragoon, secretary-general of the regulator, said the self-reporting model is widely used in developed markets, including the US, because regulators prioritise timely disclosure while relying on post-disclosure verification and legal enforcement.

HOW DID THE SUPAPORN CASE UNFOLD?

The controversy began on June 30 and July 2, when the SEC’s online filing system published seven Form 246-2 reports covering six listed companies comprising True Corp, Kasikornbank, Major Cineplex, Asia Aviation, G J Steel and Bangkok Bank.

One filing claimed Ms Supaporn acquired an additional 3.2174% stake in True on June 15 through UBS Group AG, raising her total holding to 7.0992%. Based on the market value at the time, the reported stake was estimated at around 30 billion baht, making her appear to be the sixth-largest shareholder of the telecom company.

Combined with the other reported holdings, the filings implied ownership of shares worth roughly 94 billion baht, attracting immediate attention across the market.

According to the SEC, on July 3 the regulator marked the filings a “preliminary version” while conducting further verification.

Between July 7-8, the SEC coordinated with the listed companies and examined shareholder registers. The investigation found no evidence that the reported holdings existed. The regulator removed the filings from public disclosure, labelled them “under verification”, and later deleted them from the system.

On July 9, Mrs Pornanong told reporters public feedback is welcome and would improve the system.

As self-reporting remains an internationally accepted standard, she noted the SEC has procedures to investigate irregular filings and remove inaccurate information once detected.

On July 10, the agency confirmed it collaborated with the Economic Crime Suppression Division in questioning Ms Supaporn as part of a formal investigation. Details of her testimony cannot be disclosed as the investigation remains ongoing, with the SEC adding it is too early to conclude whether anyone acted with intent to manipulate share prices.

HOW DID THE FALSE FILING AFFECT THE MARKET?

The incident did not trigger a broad market disruption, but it highlighted how false disclosure can influence investor sentiment.

On the day the filings attracted widespread attention, TRUE was among the most actively bought stocks, reflecting speculative interest generated by the reports, though other companies named in the filings experienced limited price impact.

Although regulators have not concluded that market manipulation occurred, the episode demonstrated how inaccurate regulatory disclosures can influence trading decisions before verification is completed.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE THAI AND US SELF-REPORTING RULES?

The SEC emphasised that Thailand’s framework mirrors the approach used by its US peer.

The US Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval (EDGAR) filing system also relies on self-reporting. Filings such as Schedule 13D, Schedule 13G, and Schedule TO are published promptly after submission rather than being pre-approved by regulators.

The US has also experienced cases involving false filings. Fraudsters have submitted fake takeover documents and, in some cases, false Schedule 13D filings to create the illusion that major investors were accumulating shares, encouraging retail investors to buy and artificially inflating stock prices.

Rather than abandoning the self-reporting model, the US SEC has responded with aggressive enforcement, pursuing both civil and criminal actions, imposing substantial financial penalties, and strengthening surveillance using data analytics, artificial intelligence and the EDGAR Next identity verification initiative.

The challenge is not a lack of self-reporting, but concerns how quickly regulators can detect false information and how severely they punish those responsible.

WHAT DO MARKET PARTICIPANTS RECOMMEND?

The Supaporn case has prompted calls from market participants to strengthen Thailand’s disclosure framework without sacrificing timely information.

One proposal is to connect Form 246-2 directly with shareholder records maintained by Thailand Securities Depository (TSD), allowing the system to verify whether the reported holdings actually exist before publication.

Rongrak Phanapavudhikul, senior executive vice-president and chief legal and risk officer at the Stock Exchange of Thailand, said such integration should be considered in the future.

Under this approach, the system would automatically verify whether the investor’s identification matched actual shareholdings recorded by TSD.

Therdsak Taveeteeratham, executive vice-president of Asia Plus Securities, said automatic cross-checking would significantly reduce the risk of false filings.

Other recommendations include requiring broker authentication for transactions exceeding the 5% reporting threshold through digitally signed transaction references, preventing the misuse of overseas broker names.

Market participants also proposed displaying a temporary “pending verification” tag for newly submitted filings until ownership information has been confirmed with TSD, providing investors with additional context during the initial disclosure period.

Legal analysts argue that authorities should also consider applying tougher market manipulation or securities fraud provisions in cases where false disclosure directly affects stock prices, rather than relying solely on penalties for false reporting.

WHAT ARE THE LESSONS FROM THE CASE?

The Supaporn case demonstrated that even disclosure systems used by leading financial markets are vulnerable to abuse.

The real test is not whether false filings can occur, but how quickly regulators identify them, remove inaccurate information and enforce meaningful penalties.

Rebuilding confidence requires more than improving technology — it requires investors to believe that the information they rely upon is transparent, accurate and verifiable.

Mrs Pornanong said the SEC views the incident not simply as wrongdoing by one individual, but as an opportunity to strengthen Thailand’s disclosure framework.

She said in every capital market, trust remains the most valuable asset, and it begins with reliable information.

ILaw director Yingcheep Atchanont has vowed to continue releasing evidence alleging manipulation of the 2024 Senate election, despite the ruling Bhumjaithai Party’s threat to pursue legal action against him.

His latest remarks came after Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul rejected Mr Yingcheep’s call for the party to refrain from filing lawsuits, insisting those accused had the right to protect their reputations if they believed false information had been disseminated.

Earlier this week, Mr Yingcheep submitted a petition to opposition chief whip Parit Wacharasindhu, a People’s Party list-MP, seeking an inquiry into the alleged involvement of nine senior Bhumjaithai politicians in orchestrating irregularities in the election.

Those named include Mr Anutin, Deputy Prime Minister Songsak Thongsri, Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn and several cabinet ministers and senior party figures.

In a Facebook post on Friday, Mr Yingcheep said more evidence was already being prepared for public release. He claimed the scheme involved thousands of people, ranging from villagers allegedly hired to register and vote to organisers higher up the chain.

He divided participants into three groups: loyal operatives, people who allegedly took part simply for payment, and those who knew the scheme was wrong and now regretted their involvement.

He urged members of the latter two groups to provide evidence, promising to protect their identities. He said a fund might be raised to reward whistleblowers who could provide useful documents, particularly financial records and evidence tracing money transfers.

Mr Yingcheep also alleged that payments to participants varied depending on their roles, ranging from several thousand baht for those involved only in the early rounds to substantially larger sums for those advancing further in the selection process.

Government chief whip Korrawee Prissananantakul, one of the nine politicians named, rejected the allegations, saying scrutiny should be based on credible evidence rather than politically motivated accusations.

He said the allegation against him merely claimed that one of his aides knew a Senate candidate and drove that person to register, adding he could not see how that implicated him personally.

Police are gathering additional evidence in the local government recruitment exam scandal as they seek to identify those behind the wider fraud network, Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) commissioner Pol Lt Gen Natthasak Chaowanasai said.

Investigators have requested documents related to the examination process from Srinakharinwirot University (SWU) and are reviewing evidence to determine whether to file criminal charges against civil servants allegedly linked to the scheme.

Pol Lt Gen Natthasak said investigators will decide by Monday whether there is sufficient evidence to seek arrest warrants or file charges against other suspects. If no further criminal charges are pursued, the case will be forwarded to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), whose special inquiry panel is handling the matter.

Nine civil servants and two employees of a private company were arrested during a raid on a house in Nonthaburi nearly a month ago while allegedly altering examination scores.

Investigators also seized a flash drive containing a list of 5,960 candidates whose status had allegedly been changed from “fail” to “pass” in both sections of the examination, according to information presented to the House committee on legal affairs, justice and human rights.

Pol Lt Gen Natthasak said he was also due to report the findings of a fact-finding committee to Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilprapunt yesterday. The committee examined every stage of the recruitment process to identify procedural weaknesses.

Its findings will then be submitted to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to help develop measures to prevent similar exam fraud.

Prachachat Party leader Pol Col Tawee Sodsong said data from the past five local government recruitment exams showed the 2025 test had an unusually high pass rate of 22.16% — nearly four times the average.

The Board of Investment (BoI) has partnered with Citi Thailand to strengthen efforts to attract foreign direct investment (FDI), supporting Thailand’s long-term economic growth.

With FDI inflows expected to remain strong in the coming years, strategic partnerships are becoming increasingly important to support the BoI’s operations, particularly given its workforce of around 300 staff.

Global partners can help expand the agency’s international reach and attract investment from around the world, said Narit Therdsteerasukdi, secretary-general of the BoI.

He said the board is partnering with Citi Thailand to leverage the international networks of the global financial institution, enhancing its FDI promotion efforts. Citi operates in nearly 95 countries and has 180 business networks worldwide.

The two organisations signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) yesterday to formalise their collaboration.

During the first half of 2026, investment applications submitted to the BoI, including both foreign and domestic projects, rose 37% year-on-year to 1.47 trillion baht across 1,299 projects.

FDI accounted for 1.37 trillion baht, a gain of 38%, driven largely by substantial investments in digital infrastructure and artificial intelligence (AI) data centres, Mr Narit said.

Amid a rapidly evolving global investment landscape, shaped by heightened geopolitical tensions, the rise of AI, and supply chain realignment, international investors are increasingly seeking destinations that offer resilient supply chains, economic stability and strong investment fundamentals, he noted.

“Thailand is emerging as one of Southeast Asia’s preferred investment destinations, supported by a well-developed system,” said Mr Narit. “We expect positive momentum in FDI inflows to continue over the coming years, following record-high investment levels in each of the past several years.”

The BoI is focusing on six new S-curve industries to attract investment and accelerate Thailand’s transition to a future-oriented economy: the bio-economy and green industries; semiconductors and advanced electronics; electric vehicles and auto parts; AI and digital technologies; robotics, automation, and humanoid technologies; and regional headquarters for international companies.

“By combining the strengths of the BoI and Citi Thailand, we expect to attract more FDI, enhance the country’s competitiveness, and support Thailand’s long-term economic growth,” he said.

Narumon Chivangkur, country officer and banking head for Citi Thailand, said the BoI’s targeted investment policies combined with Citi’s global network and financial expertise would attract more foreign investment and strengthen Thailand’s economic expansion.

“Amid intensifying regional competition for FDI, Thailand remains a key investment destination,” Ms Narumon said.

“In addition to the country’s strong economic fundamentals, the continuity of investment policies by both the BoI and the Thai government is another important factor underpinning investor confidence.”

She said Citi Thailand has been operating in the country for 60 years. Backed by decades of experience and a full range of financial solutions, the bank is well-positioned to support multinational clients expanding into Thailand.

Citi provides comprehensive cross-border banking solutions to facilitate complex international transactions, including trade finance, foreign exchange and treasury services. These capabilities help clients manage global cash flows efficiently and streamline their international operations, said Ms Narumon.

In addition, the financial institution offers a full suite of domestic banking services, including working capital, liquidity management and cash management solutions, supported by direct connectivity to Thailand’s digital payment infrastructure, enabling efficient, real-time transaction processing and optimised cash flows within the country.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has reaffirmed that Thailand is prepared to restore relations with Cambodia, but only under conditions that safeguard the country’s national interests and sovereignty.

He also instructed all ministries to strengthen policy coordination in response to economic and security challenges, while warning negotiators to prepare thoroughly for international talks to ensure Thailand is not placed at a disadvantage.

Mr Anutin was addressing the first meeting of permanent secretaries and heads of ministries or equivalent agencies at the National Intelligence Agency on Friday. It was also attended by military commanders.

Since assuming office, Thailand has confronted significant security issues, severe flooding, road collapses and other emergencies, he said.

However, these situations had been resolved swiftly through integrated action across government, the premier added.

On national security, he commended the police and armed forces for their effectiveness in tackling crime, pursuing investigations, dismantling organised cybercrime gangs and combating narcotics through close inter-agency cooperation.

Mr Anutin stressed that neither personal interests nor political considerations would ever take precedence over national security or the public interest.

Turning to foreign policy, Mr Anutin said Thailand sought to restore its standing on the international stage through negotiations that would generate investment and new opportunities, rather than symbolic diplomatic engagements.

While Thailand does not seek conflict with neighbouring countries, it will protect its dignity and sovereignty, he said, adding the nation has never invaded another country and that it respects every nation’s sovereignty.

Mr Anutin said Bangkok had conveyed its readiness to rebuild bilateral ties with Cambodia, but any negotiations must proceed on the terms set by Thailand. Talks that do not undermine national interests are welcome, but any condition that places Thailand at a disadvantage would be rejected.

He urged the ministries responsible for commerce, labour, finance and agriculture to provide negotiating teams with comprehensive information before international talks.