Category: The Bangkok Post

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered officials concerned to revise the land bridge project of the government while speeding up other transport projects linking Thailand, China, Laos, Malaysia and Singapore, according to the government spokesman.

Government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek said on Wednesday that Mr Anutin instructed relevant government organisations to revise the land bridge project and speed up road and rail projects ready for implementation to remedy ‘missing links’ and complete transport networks.

‘This will speed up cargo transport, cut logistic costs, increase competitiveness and attract investment without having to wait for a mega project,’ the spokeswoman said.

She was referring to the 1-trillion-baht east-west land bridge megaproject planned to link the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea across the southern provinces of Chumphon and Ranong.

Elaborating on the new directive from Prime Minister Anutin, who recently visited China, Ms Rachada said the aim is to fill in ‘missing links’ along the ‘north-south economic corridor’ connecting China to Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.

According to the government spokesperson, Mr Anutin told his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang while in China that the Thai government is committed to extending railways from Chiang Khong district of Chiang Rai to Nateuy station in Laos, which connects with Mohan of China. Nateuy is a key station of the Chinese-Lao high-speed railway.

At the same time, the government will rapidly improve the port of Ranong and link it and Chumphon with rail lines and roads to introduce an alternative for cargo transport between the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Thailand.

‘The government will comprehensively consider feasibility, investment and economic returns before working out action plans… The government emphasises investment that is practical, produces quick results and genuinely benefits people and businesses,’ Ms Rachada said.

Samsung has launched a wide new Galaxy line-up in Thailand, led by AI-powered foldable phones, smarter watches and its first intelligent eyewear, as the company tries to make everyday devices more useful for people juggling work, health, travel and the eternal mystery of Bangkok traffic.

Unveiled in London, the new range includes the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy Z Flip8, all built around Galaxy AI. Samsung is pitching the devices as practical companions for people who want to write emails, edit photos, translate signs and pretend they are not doom-scrolling during dinner.

The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra sits at the top of the range. It brings Samsung’s Ultra badge to a foldable phone, with an 8-inch main display, a slim 4.1mm body when unfolded, a weight of 215 grammes, a 200-megapixel main camera and a 5,000mAh battery. It is a phone that opens like a small tablet and has enough camera power to show every pore, wrinkle and suspiciously expensive iced latte.

For those who want something slightly easier to carry, the Galaxy Z Fold8 is Samsung’s lightest Galaxy Z Fold so far, weighing 201 grammes, according to Samsung Thailand’s product page. That makes it 14 grammes lighter than last year’s Z Fold7, which may not sound much until you realise people in Bangkok already carry a phone, keys, wallet, power bank, umbrella, reusable cup and emotional damage from waiting for a taxi in the rain.

The Fold8 moves from a 10:16 cover screen for quick tasks to a 4:3 main display for bigger jobs such as watching videos, gaming, reading documents or opening several apps at once. That could be useful for anyone trying to answer a work message, check the location of their Grab taxi, compare air fares and see whether the BTS is having a “minor delay”.

Samsung says the Galaxy Z Flip8 is aimed at users who want style, portability and a bit of digital theatre. Weighing 180 grammes and measuring 6.1mm thick, it folds down into a compact shape that looks neat in a pocket, handbag or the sort of tiny café table that can barely hold one cappuccino and a laptop.

The Flip8 also comes with an AI-native FlexWindow, which brings updates and automated tasks to the cover screen without needing to open the phone. Its 50-megapixel camera uses Samsung’s ProVisual Engine for clearer selfies and soft background effects. The mini foldable phone is designed for people who want the camera to do the hard work, because posing naturally in the heat is already enough of a challenge keeping sweat from dripping down your forehead. The Flip series appears to be gaining more fans, especially among users who like a phone with personality.

Samsung has also updated its smartwatch range with the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9. Both run on the Snapdragon Wear Elite platform and are designed to turn health data into daily advice. That means the watch may tell you to rest, move, sleep better or stop pretending that walking from the condo lift to the motorbike taxi counts as “cardio”.

The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 is built for tougher use and is aimed at active users, including expatriates who spend weekends hiking in the north, diving in the south or telling friends they are “outdoorsy” because they once walked up the stairs at Wat Arun. It comes with a 5,000-nit display for bright sunlight, an 800mAh battery and a 10 ATM rating.

The watch can also track real-time water data, including temperature and depth, when users go swimming or diving. That may appeal to people who want to know more about their diving sessions than simply “the fish were nice” and “yes, I swallowed seawater again”.

For everyday use, the Galaxy Watch9 focuses on comfort, routine tracking and health guidance. The 40mm model has a 390mAh battery and a 3,000-nit display, which should make it easier to read outdoors, even under the sort of Thai sun that makes your phone screen look like a black mirror and your forehead look like a weather warning.

Samsung’s health features include Sleep Apnea, which the company says uses artificial intelligence to offer insights into breathing disruptions during sleep. Other tools include Daily Cardio Load, which estimates recovery needs and suggests training volume, and Heart Health Score, which gives personalised lifestyle recommendations linked to cardiovascular wellness.

The most eye-catching addition, however, may be Samsung’s intelligent eyewear. Developed with Google, Gentle Monster and Warby Parker, the glasses bring AI into the user’s field of view without needing to stare at a phone screen.

The lightweight frames use the Snapdragon AR1 Gen1 platform and offer up to nine hours of continuous battery life on one charge. The Gentle Monster edition comes in a fashion-led black frame, while the Warby Parker edition uses an upswept brown design.

The glasses integrate Google’s Gemini assistant for hands-free use. Samsung says they can support live translation, capture visual context through a built-in camera, summarise meetings, help users find local routes and share live points of view with contacts. For expats, that could mean translating a menu, finding the right soi or understanding a sign before accidentally walking into a staff-only area with the confidence of a confused tourist.

Taken together, the launch shows Samsung’s push to make the Galaxy ecosystem feel less like a collection of gadgets and more like a daily helper. The phones handle work and entertainment, the watches keep an eye on health, and the glasses promise help with translation, navigation and information on the move. The appeal may not simply be owning another shiny device, but may be having technology that can translate, organise, track, photograph, guide and gently shame them into sleeping better, ideally before the next tropical downpour arrives and everyone suddenly remembers they left the umbrella at home.

Pre-orders for the Galaxy Z series in Thailand run from July 22 to Aug 13, 2026, with official availability from Aug 14. The Galaxy Watch line-up follows the same pre-order period, with general availability beginning on Aug 7.

Device model and starting price

Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra 69,900 baht

Galaxy Z Fold8 61,900 baht

Galaxy Z Flip8 42,900 baht

Galaxy Watch Ultra2 (LTE, 47mm) 25,900 baht

Galaxy Watch9 (Bluetooth, 40mm) 12,900 baht

Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has ordered a new study into the relocation of Bangkok Port cargo operations to Laem Chabang Port.

Speaking during a visit to the Port Authority of Thailand (PAT) on Tuesday, Mr Phiphat said the government aims to make Thailand’s ports world-class, eco-friendly gateways supporting trade, investment, tourism and sustainable growth.

He becomes the latest in a long line of ministers who have proposed moving the port out of the city over the past three decades.

Most of those proposals envisage using the land for a new mixed-use megaproject, and moving the area’s residents into high-rise buildings.

Mr Phiphat said the Ministry of Transport would review past cabinet resolutions related to the establishment of Laem Chabang Port in Chon Buri to determine whether the centralisation of commercial cargo operations is legally supported.

If no such resolution exists, the proposal will be submitted to the cabinet before being presented to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul for policy-level discussions.

Under the proposal, cargo activities at Bangkok Port in Klong Toey would be relocated to Laem Chabang, freeing up about 500 to 600 rai for redevelopment.

Mr Phiphat said the site could be transformed into a modern entertainment complex – without a casino – featuring cruise terminals, tourism facilities, commercial developments and public parks.

The plan also includes new housing for Klong Toey residents. More than 12,600 households, or about 40,000 people, could benefit from upgraded high-rise accommodation replacing congested low-rise communities. Childcare centres, model schools and high-standard healthcare facilities are also proposed.

Mr Phiphat said the project would require revising the PAT’s 2019 master plan for 2,353 rai, but stressed that any redevelopment would need consultations with residents, the PAT board and its labour union.

An investigation has found that wildlife officials acted negligently in the relocation of the wild elephant Seedor Hupab, whose death earlier this year sparked public controversy.

Disciplinary action against those responsible has been recommended, along with an order for compensation, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment said on Wednesday.

A fact-finding committee appointed by the ministry concluded that those involved in the capture and transfer operation of the 2.8-tonne elephant failed to exercise due care. It recommended a disciplinary investigation into the personnel concerned and civil liability proceedings against the officials responsible at the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP).

The findings were based on legal considerations and clearly indicated negligence in the operation, said Nipon Jamnongsirisak, the ministry’s deputy permanent secretary and chairman of the committee.

The committee recommended that DNP executives linked to the relocation be held financially liable for damages equivalent to the elephant’s value, estimated at 5-10 million baht, with the final amount to be determined through further assessment.

Mr Nipon said the committee would not yet disclose the names of those involved, but confirmed they were connected to the relocation.

The 15-year-old male elephant died on the night of Feb 3 in Khon Kaen province while he was being moved back to his original habitat, a wildlife sanctuary in Loei.

The relocation was ordered after Seedor Hupab strayed from the sanctuary and began raiding human settlements for food, and attacked and killed two people.

A previous inquiry found that the elephant died from respiratory failure after choking on food while being moved, rejecting speculation that he died from a sedative overdose.

His death triggered criticism from animal welfare advocates and calls for accountability over the handling of the operation.

Services on the Airport Rail Link that connects Suvarnabhumi airport and inner Bangkok were still reduced to one train per hour on Wednesday evening after a derailment at the Khlong Tan depot.

A four-car train went off the rails at 12.47am, blocking the only route in and out of the maintenance facility, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) said.

Officials were investigating the cause of the derailment and the extent of any damage, SRT governor Anan Phonimdaeng said.

Mr Anan said the SRT deployed seven special trains, including third-class diesel locomotives and air-conditioned carriages, to support commuters on the Lat Krabang-Makkasan-Hua Lamphong route in the morning.

The SRT also contacted the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) to provide shuttle buses between Suvarnabhumi Airport and Makkasan Station to help reduce user density at both sites, he added.

The commuter line is operated by a subsidiary of the state agency, SRT Electrified Train Co.

The time between trains on the 28-kilometre route is normally 10 to 15 minutes, but only one train remained operational and the frequency was one train per hour.

The operator said it had coordinated with other agencies to increase the number of buses to accommodate passengers during the evening commute. The public was advised to check the ARL Facebook page for updates.

The company also requested that passengers buy tokens at stations because the EMV payment system, which accepts payment with credit and debit cards, was also non-operational.

Oil prices rose to their highest in almost six weeks on Wednesday, with Brent crude surpassing $95 a barrel, on mounting concerns about disruptions to Middle Eastern supply routes because of escalating hostilities between the US and Iran ?and threats to shipping by ?the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen.

Brent crude futures were up $2.23 at $93.24 a barrel on Wednesday afternoon, after hitting a session high of $95.47. US West Texas Intermediate crude climbed $2.18 to $86.18.

Both benchmarks touched their highest levels since June 11. The Brent three-month timespread, meanwhile, expanded to $10.89 a barrel, its widest since May 22, deepening backwardation on mounting supply risks.

Backwardation is where prompt crude trades at prices above later-dated barrels, typically signalling tighter near-term supply.

The US military said it carried out an 11th consecutive night of attacks on Iran. The attacks came a short while after the Kuwaiti army said its air defences were intercepting Iranian drones.

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday the US would ‘bomb and destroy one bridge or power plant’ any time Tehran targets a ship in the Strait of Hormuz.

As well as the renewed conflict over control of that key waterway, the Iran-aligned Houthis have opened a new front in the war by threatening to target vessels ?carrying Saudi oil in the Bab el-Mandeb strait and announced a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia.

Ships with links to Israel, the United States or Saudi Arabia are at a higher risk of being attacked by Yemen’s ?Iran-aligned Houthi militia and are advised to avoid voyages through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, the European Union’s naval force Aspides said on Wednesday.

‘The energy market now has the dual-strait worry, with the Bab el-Mandeb ?Strait looking ?like it could join the Strait of Hormuz as a hot spot, as traders closely watch shipping numbers in the Red Sea,’ said Tim Waterer, chief market analyst at KCM Trade.

Bab el-Mandeb ?at the southern entrance to the Red Sea has become an increasingly important route for Saudi Arabian crude exports as traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen sharply again since a ceasefire between the United States and Iran collapsed earlier this month.

Three oil tankers loaded with Saudi crude for China and ?India made U-turns in the Red Sea on Tuesday, heading towards the Suez Canal rather than braving ?the Yemeni coast. Four other tankers also changed course in the Red Sea on Wednesday.

‘The (Houthi) threat has led tankers to divert which could further pressure the physical market and Saudi exports, contributing to push prices to the upside,’ said Frank Walbaum, a market analyst at the trading platform Naga.com.

In response to the Houthi warnings, refiners are seeking to ship crude ?oil from the Red Sea port of Yanbu in Saudi Arabia through ?the Suez Canal and around Africa.

The Embassy of Sweden in Bangkok has shared photos on July 20 of first secretary Emanuel Lundin sampling Thai coconut ice cream from the Phai Thong brand, saying ‘Thai ice cream is the best’.

In a Facebook post, the embassy said Mr Lundin tried the classic dessert, describing it as “smooth, creamy and fragrant with a distinctly Thai flavour, ideal for the hot weather”. Toppings of peanuts, palm seeds and sweetcorn rounded out the experience, the post said, adding that the treat was excellent value at “just two 20-baht notes”.

The embassy said it was pleased to see the diplomat enjoying an authentic slice of Thai life, just like a local.

The ice cream stall is in front of Two Pacific Place building, next to BTS Nana.

Phai Thong is known for its local Thai ice cream-style, usually sold via an ice cream vending sidecar or a moving stall on the streets.

The death toll from the fire at the Rong Beer Na Ladprao pub has risen to 35 after another victim died in hospital, while Bangkok officials have ordered the temporary closure of 56 nightspots as part of a citywide safety crackdown launched in the wake of the July 12 tragedy.

The Erawan Emergency Medical Centre reported on Wednesday morning that a 23-year-old woman, identified as Thitichaya Krutwichit, died at Siriraj Hospital at 2.20am. It said 21 injured victims remain in hospital, including 12 in intensive care units and nine in general wards.

The announcement came as Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt outlined intensified inspections of entertainment venues across the capital, saying authorities had already suspended operations at dozens of establishments with safety deficiencies.

217 venues pass checks, 56 shut

Mr Chadchart said the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), in cooperation with the Royal Thai Police and other agencies, had reviewed safety regulations following the fatal blaze and introduced a new 17-point safety checklist for entertainment venues.

The city is also using powers under the Public Health Act alongside other relevant laws to strengthen safety standards.

Bangkok has 1,091 establishments under its supervision that are classified as, or operate similarly to, entertainment venues. Over the past three days, officials have inspected 824.

Of those inspected, 217 met safety standards, 551 were ordered to make improvements, and 56 were instructed to temporarily suspend operations due to safety shortcomings.

Mr Chadchart said operators would be allowed to correct minor safety deficiencies before reopening. However, venues found to pose serious safety risks would be ordered to close immediately.

The inspections will continue over the next two months, with authorities conducting follow-up checks to ensure compliance.

Venue operators will also be required to provide certification from engineers or qualified specialists for issues that cannot be verified through visual inspection, such as internal electrical systems and insulation or soundproofing materials, to confirm that they meet safety standards.

Inspections expand to assembly buildings

Mr Chadchart said residents had submitted 27 complaints about safety issues at entertainment venues through the Traffy Fondue reporting platform and officials were working to investigate the reports as quickly as possible.

The BMA will also invite all venue operators to attend briefing sessions this weekend on the new safety checklist to ensure a common understanding of the requirements and to reinforce responsibility for customer safety.

Authorities are expanding inspections beyond entertainment venues to include buildings classified under the law as public assembly structures or performance venues, a category that covers about 14,000 sites across Bangkok, including boxing stadiums.

According to the Bangkok governor, the inspections will focus on compliance with building safety regulations, including mandatory annual inspections and comprehensive structural reviews every five years by independent building inspectors.

Six Vietnamese nationals were arrested at a Bangkok house as metropolitan police expanded investigations into Tokyo-bound crystal methamphetamine concealed in tamarind paste.

The arrests were made on Tuesday when police raided a residence in the Khlong Chan area in Bang Kapi district, according to Pol Maj Gen Theeradej Thammasuthee, the deputy Bangkok police chief responsible for drug suppression.

The operation followed the discovery of 2 kilogrammes of crystal meth, commonly known as “ice”, after a woman working as a courier to Japan alerted police to a package she said was unusually heavy delivered to her condominium in Bangkok Noi district on July 13.

The parcel contained six jars of tamarind paste each concealing “ice” wrapped in foil. Investigators later traced the drugs to a Vietnamese trafficking network.

On July 16, a Thai man, identified as Somphong Kaewphadee, was apprehended in Pathum Thani after police found the bank account used to pay for couriers and related expenses belonged to him. He was taken into custody at Taling Chan Criminal Court.

The Bangkok residence officers raided on Tuesday was one of the locations deliverymen had picked up packages, Pol Maj Gen Theeradej said.

The suspects arrested there were five women – Ha Thi, 28, Tran Thi, 18, Le Nguyen, 18, Lo Thi, 19 and Luong Le, 18, and a man, Do Nhu, 28.

Officers also found a copy of a passport belonging to another Vietnamese woman, who was reportedly the girlfriend of Mr Somphong. She was identified only as “Mali”.

The woman suspects tested positive for drugs, police said, while the man was charged for having drugs in possession.

However, they denied involvement in the trafficking network. The women said they came to Thailand for “entertainment jobs”, with Mr Do serving as their “modelling agent”. Each got paid about 700 baht per a job.

Police took hold of their electronic devices for further investigation.

The methods found in this case were noted as resembling those used by the gang behind a shipment of heroin found in the possession of a Thai flight attendant in Australia last month.

The seizures have led Thai authorities to reiterate warnings to the public not to accept requests to carry luggage or parcels overseas on behalf of others.

Pol Gen Samran Nualma has been selected unanimously as Thailand’s next national police chief, succeeding Pol Gen Kittharath Punpetch when he retires on Sept 30.

The decision was endorsed on Wednesday by the Police Commission following a proposal by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who chairs the commission.

At 53, Pol Gen Samran was the youngest among the known contenders for the position. He is scheduled to retire in 2033, giving him potential for an unusually long tenure compared with his predecessors, most of which were 58 or 59 when appointed.

The commission considered candidates in accordance with legal procedures, assessing seniority alongside knowledge, ability and experience in criminal investigations and crime suppression, said Pol Lt Gen Thayut Chanthaworn, commissioner attached to the Police Commission Office.

‘The commission reviewed all the relevant information from every angle … and reached a unanimous decision,’ he said.

According to Pol Lt Gen Thayut, the four deputy chiefs eligible for consideration left the meeting room before deliberations began. The 12 commissioners all voted in favour of Pol Gen Samran’s appointment.

The job of national police chief comes with a base salary of 78,000 baht per month. However, position and meeting allowances plus funds for special operations usually bring total monthly income to between 120,000 and 150,000 baht.

Seniority not the sole factor

Questions had been raised about the selection of Pol Gen Samran, who ranked third in seniority among the candidates, and whether the appointment complied with the 2022 Royal Thai Police Act.

Pol Lt Gen Thayut said the law allows the prime minister to exercise discretion when nominating a candidate, taking seniority into account alongside professional competence, particularly experience in investigation and crime prevention.

He added that concerns over possible legal challenges or divisions within the force had also been discussed.

‘Only one of the four candidates could be selected. The prime minister and commissioners are confident that police officers will continue to work together in unity for the organisation,’ he said.

Before the meeting, Mr Anutin held a 30-minute consultation with the commission’s 12 expert members. The four candidates were barred from participating in the vote.

Long career in policing

A native of Phetchaburi province, Pol Gen Samran graduated from Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School Class 34 and the Royal Thai Police Cadet Academy Class 50.

He earned master’s and doctoral degrees from Ramkhamhaeng University and is currently studying law at Thammasat University.

Throughout his career, Pol Gen Samran has risen through the ranks from investigative and patrol assignments. He has served as chief of Don Muang police station, commander of the Patrol and Special Operations Division, better known as the 191 Police, commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, assistant national police chief and, since Oct 1 last year, deputy national chief.

He has also completed a range of advanced training programmes in Thailand and abroad, including VIP protection, FBI Active Shooter Response training and programmes at the Sig Sauer Academy in the United States.

High-profile cases

Pol Gen Samran is widely known for his role in several major criminal and national security investigations.

His career highlights include helping direct tactical operations during the 2020 mass shooting at Terminal 21 in Nakhon Ratchasima, leading investigations into an international drug-smuggling ring following the arrest of a Thai flight attendant in Australia, overseeing crackdowns on Chinese-linked criminal networks accused of exploiting Thai nationality registration systems, and pursuing corruption cases involving fraudulent civil registration schemes.