Category: The Bangkok Post

A US-Japan joint intervention to stop the yen’s slide is among the reasons the baht has appreciated beyond 33 baht to the dollar, economists say, noting that the Thai currency is likely to continue gaining against the greenback in the near term.

Amonthep Chawla, executive vice-president and head of research at CIMB Thai Bank, said recent weaker-than-expected US employment data have eased concerns that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates in September.

The market had previously priced in the possibility of a rate hike next month, but softer economic data have prompted investors to reassess their expectations.

Consequently, some funds that had previously moved into US assets have started flowing back into emerging markets, providing support for emerging-market currencies, including the baht.

According to Kasikorn Research Centre (K-Research), the baht was traded in a range of 32.99-33.01 to the dollar early yesterday, compared with Friday’s close of 33.05.

The Thai currency appreciated to its six-week high of 32.87 to the greenback on Friday, as the lower probability of a US rate hike in September put pressure on the dollar, said Kanjana Chockpisansin, head of research for the banking and financial sector at K-Research.

Besides, the situation in the Middle East has eased recently as traders watch for progress in US-Iran talks that could pave the way for a deal to secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, the yen has bounced back to 158.52 per dollar, from roughly 164, a multi-decade low hit late last month, as the US-Japan intervention helped to prop up the Japanese currency.

“The baht is likely to continue its appreciation in the near term, potentially hitting 32.70,” said Ms Kanjana.

Mr Amonthep, meanwhile, expressed concerns over the US-Japan joint intervention to stop the yen’s slide.

Japan has intervened in the foreign-exchange market in the past to support the yen and has sought cooperation from other major economies. However, currency intervention alone may have limited effectiveness if underlying economic and monetary policy factors continue to weigh on the yen.

If Japan responds to stem the yen’s weakness by selling US Treasuries, pushing US yields higher, the consequences could directly affect the US financial system and economy.

“The key question is whether Japan can contain the pressure within its domestic financial system or whether continued weakness in the yen and rising JGB yields could become a catalyst for broader volatility in US Treasury markets and the global financial system,” said Mr Amonthep.

The Bank of Thailand is planning to require banks to scrutinise customers who buy high-value property with cash as part of efforts to prevent illicit financial activities.

The central bank has recently opened a public hearing on proposed new rules to strengthen the risk management of cash-related transactions worth at least 5 million baht, as it seeks to prevent financial institutions from being used for money laundering and other illicit activities.

The public hearing runs from Aug 5 to Sept 3.

According to the public hearing, the proposed rules would cover cash withdrawals and deposits, banknote exchanges, and cash received for the issuance of cheques and drafts. They would also apply to the purchase, sale and exchange of foreign banknotes involving transactions worth 5 million baht or more.

Financial institutions would be required to assess whether customers’ transaction behaviour is appropriate, including the rationale and necessity for conducting cash-related transactions.

If customers’ stated reasons are inconsistent or transactions appear unreasonable — such as withdrawing a very large amount of cash to purchase land or high-value property when more convenient and secure payment methods are generally available — then financial institutions must take appropriate action, according to the proposed rules.

In a separate development, speaking at the 2026 Cybersecurity Annual Conference, titled “Responsible Innovation: Quantifying Cyber Risk for Business Trust”, hosted by the Thailand Banking Sector Computer Emergency Response Team (TB-CERT) on Friday, Daranee Saeju, the central bank’s assistant governor for the strategic and special projects group, said Thailand had not recorded a single unauthorised mobile banking transaction caused by the so-called “money malware” in the past 18 months.

She said the progress reflected close cooperation among regulatory agencies, financial institutions and other relevant parties, including TB-CERT, a specialised cybersecurity unit under the Thai Bankers’ Association (TBA).

Cybersecurity is not simply an IT issue, she said, but is fundamental to preserving trust in the financial system. As a result, the central bank would continue to strengthen its supervisory expectations across the industry to prevent financial crime and safeguard public trust.

Nonetheless, she admitted that the nature of financial crime is changing, requiring the central bank and financial institutions to look beyond traditional cybersecurity measures.

The Bank of Thailand is broadening its approach to prevent financial infrastructure from being exploited for fraud, money laundering, and other illicit financial activities.

The central bank is also turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to strengthen its defences against increasingly sophisticated scams. AI is being used to improve customer authentication, identify suspicious behaviour, detect threats earlier, respond more quickly, reduce harm when incidents occur, and uncover networks of mule accounts.

In addition, the central bank is taking a broader approach to cybersecurity, shifting its focus beyond protecting individual financial institutions and networks to safeguarding public confidence in the financial system.

“Let us not only secure our financial system — let us strengthen the trust that sustains it,” Ms Daranee said.

Recently, the central bank announced new measures to tighten daily limits on digital fund transfers and payments for young account holders to prevent their accounts from being used as mule accounts.

The new measures were introduced after authorities found that fraudsters had increasingly shifted to using bank accounts and e-money accounts belonging to children and young people to facilitate illegal activities, according to the Bank of Thailand.

Under the new measures, daily digital transfer and payment limits will be tailored to users’ ages and actual usage patterns. For youths aged 10-12, e-money accounts will have a daily transfer or payment limit of 3,000 baht.

Those aged 12-15 will face a daily limit of 5,000 baht for digital transfers and payments from bank deposit accounts, while those aged 15-18 will be subject to a daily limit of 10,000 baht.

Banks and e-money operators will gradually adjust the limits in line with the central bank’s requirements, with the changes expected to be completed by September and October 2026, respectively.

The online debate over whether restaurants in Thailand should accept orders only in Thai highlights an underlying issue in the industry: a persistent labour shortage, as many Thais do not want to work in the sector.

Well-known tech creator Pongsuk Hiranprueck recently shared on Facebook his experience at a restaurant in Bangkok, where he was served by a foreign waitress who could speak Thai, but discovered that most other staff members could not.

This is not the first time the issue has been raised. Psisamutt, a user on the X platform, said he always orders in Thai, and if a waiter or waitress does not understand him, he simply switches to someone who does. He said that since he is in Thailand, he wants to speak Thai.

Chanon Koetcharoen, president of the Restaurant Association, said his association comprises mainly SME restaurant operators. The industry is facing a significant labour shortage, as Thai nationals are typically not interested in these types of jobs.

This prompts operators to hire workers from other countries who are willing to work hard and show resilience.

He said that increasing the daily minimum wage could encourage more Thais to return to restaurant work. However, he cautioned that this would lead to higher operating costs and inevitably higher menu prices.

He added that Thais typically oversee operations, while foreign workers are more likely to fill lower-level positions.

Mr Chanon said that most migrant workers in the sector are from Myanmar, with the majority able to communicate in Thai. Lao workers, whose language is similar to Thai, make up the next largest group.

He estimated that the restaurants most likely to hire migrant workers are in the buffet category, such as moo krata and shabushabu restaurants, which require a large number of workers due to the labour-intensive nature of the work.

Regarding the online discussion, he believes restaurants should have at least some Thai-speaking staff, but not every employee needs to speak Thai.

He also pointed out that restaurants in tourist locations, where diners are more diverse, may benefit from hiring staff who can speak multiple languages.

Thaniwan Kulmongkol, president of the Thai Restaurant Association, echoed the view that many Thais see the industry as labour-intensive and are generally unwilling to work in it.

She urged operators who employ Thai or migrant workers to comply with regulations such as the Food Handler Certificate to ensure food safety for consumers.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ?on Tuesday suspended the issuance of permits ?to buy firearms and existing licences would be reviewed, days after a 14-year-old gunman killed nine people.

Mr Anutin directed Deputy Prime Minister Pakorn Nilprapunt, who oversees legal affairs, ?to ?expedite a new gun control law, with stronger controls and significantly harsher penalties. A new bill is to be proposed within 60 days.

Police have been ordered stop renewing permits that enable people to buy firearms. Registered firearms must be kept at home and ?cannot be carried in public, Mr Anutin said, reiterating the current law.

He warned people not to believe claims that guns could be carried for self-defence, saying firearms often end up harming their owners.

The cabinet on Tuesday ordered urgent and long-term measures to strengthen controls on illegal firearms and close loopholes that allow guns to reach unauthorised users.

The Interior Ministry and Royal Thai Police have been ordered to suspend renewals of Por 3, Por 4 and Por 12 licences, until the cabinet decides otherwise, government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek said.

‘Welfare guns’ suspended

As well, new ‘welfare gun’ schemes will be suspended. The widely criticised programme allows eligible public officials – from village headmen to judges and politicians – to obtain weapons at steep discounts. Many of these guns end up being resold.

Between 2017 and 2020, the US-based manufacturer Sig Sauer secured two contracts to supply the Royal Thai Police with a total of 400,000 firearms, many of which were intended as welfare guns. The Interior Ministry, which Mr Anutin heads, has also been a major participant in the welfare gun programme.

Other urgent measures approved by the cabinet call for auditing of gun dealers’ sales against licences and tax records; inspecting ammunition at shooting ranges; and intensifying prosecutions, with courts asked to impose severe penalties.

Long-term measures include introducing real-time electronic licensing and transaction records linked to the Customs and Revenue departments, recording firearm identities, tightening controls on dealers and increasing penalties.

School tragedy

Last week, a teenage student killed six people and ?himself at Nonthaburi School in Nonthaburi after fatally shooting his grandparents in the country’s ?worst ?mass killing in nearly four years.

The 9mm handgun used in the school attack was legally registered to the 14-year-old gunman’s grandfather. A CZ75 9mm semi-automatic pistol, it is a popular weapon in Thailand and many are purchased by the government for its welfare gun programme.

On Monday, a former Nonthaburi MP shot to death the head of the provincial administrative organisation, a former policeman, apparently in a dispute over a debt.

Chalong Riewraeng was charged on Tuesday with premeditated murder and other serious offences in the slaying of Pol Col Thongchai Yenprasert.

Thailand had an estimated 10.3 million ?firearms in civilian possession, equating to around 15 guns per 100 residents, the highest rate in the region by a ?wide margin, according to a 2017 estimate ?by the Small Arms Survey.

Education Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong, meanwhile, has proposed new school safety measures to cabinet, including screening everyone who education premises for ?illegal objects and ?weapons.

A raid on a suspected drug den in Kathu district on this tourist island has uncovered a large amount of drugs and firearms, provincial authorities said on Tuesday.

The raid was carried out at 10.30pm on Monday by the Manee Kram unit, a special operations team of the Phuket provincial administrative organisation, which was investigating a suspected drug trafficking and gathering site.

The operation began with an undercover officer making a drug purchase before moving in to inspect the premises. However, the dealer grew suspicious and escaped, reportedly using his familiarity with the area.

Five other people found at the site agreed to enter drug rehabilitation programmes, authorities said. The raid resulted in the seizure of 28 grammes of crystal methamphetamine, or ‘ice’, in seven bags, and 260 methamphetamine pills in six bags.

Authorities also found a 12-gauge single-barrel break-action shotgun without a registration number, one round of ammunition, a firearm scope and a sword, among other items in the guitar-filled room.

As well, bank account numbers were found written on the mirrors, suggesting that financial transactions were taking place.

The tenant of the house, who fled the scene, is being pursued on charges of possessing and distributing Category 1 narcotics for sale, and possession of a weapon. He also faces charges of possessing an unregistered firearm and ammunition.

The seized items were handed over to investigators at the Kathu police station for further legal action.

The operation was part of a nationwide 90-day campaign that the Interior Ministry announced last month to strengthen security measures, including tighter controls on firearms and illegal drugs and increased inspections of suspected crime hotspots.

Phuket authorities said the property that was raided on Monday would continue to be monitored to prevent it from becoming a gathering point for drug users again.

They said the broader crackdown aims to curb drugs, firearms and other illegal activities while strengthening safety and confidence among residents and tourists.

Social media platform X, formerly Twitter, has officially unveiled its new “Original Content Rewards Programme” while phasing out its legacy Creator Revenue Sharing scheme, in a decisive pivot towards prioritising genuine creators and curbing content duplication across the platform.

Effective from August 2026, the updated monetisation framework will reward creators exclusively based on “Qualified Impressions” generated by X Premium subscribers. The shift is designed to dismantle bot farming, tackle artificial engagement manipulation and crack down on recycled content.

Under the rollout timeline, new applications for the legacy Creator Revenue Sharing programme have been halted with immediate effect. Existing participants will continue to accumulate earnings until Sept 7, receiving their final payout in the regular cycle. However, all creators must reapply and pass fresh eligibility checks to join the new rewards scheme, with previously suspended accounts permanently barred from entry.

The revamped scheme features a bi-weekly payment cycle. The first round of disbursements under the new framework is scheduled for Aug 28, while re-enrolled legacy creators will receive their initial payouts starting Sept 25.

To qualify for monetisation, post views must meet strict engagement benchmarks:

1. The views must originate from X Premium subscribers across Basic, Premium, Premium+ or Premium Business tiers.

2. The post must appear directly on the user’s Home Timeline feed.

3. At least 50% of the post’s pixel area must be visible on the user’s screen.

X confirmed that repeated views from the same account (more than once per post), paid advertising impressions and engagement driven by automated bots or view-boosting schemes will be entirely excluded from payout calculations.

To be eligible for the Original Content Rewards Programme, creators must be at least 18 years old, reside in an eligible country, and maintain a Personal or Business account in good standing with no history of repeated policy breaches. Applicants must also subscribe to an X Premium tier, possess at least 500 verified followers and generate at least 500,000 Home Timeline impressions from verified users within the past 90 days, excluding reply threads.

Eligible users can apply via Creator Studio under the “Original Content Rewards” tab, with applications reviewed within three working days. Rejected applicants are entitled to one appeal. If unsuccessful, they must wait 90 days before reapplying.

The new policy exclusively rewards self-produced work, such as in-depth written analyses, original photography, self-produced video and graphics or social commentary that provides transformative added value, education or creative editing.

Conversely, non-monetisable content includes re-uploaded material from other sources, low-effort repurposing (such as simple cropping, applying filters, borders, watermarks, speed changes or basic captions), automated bot posts, content flagged for misinformation, get-rich-quick tutorials, explicit sexual material and copyright-infringing or unlawful posts.

The strategic overhaul underscores X’s drive to champion quality over quantity, forcing creators who previously relied on reposting third-party clips to produce authentic, distinct content if they wish to remain profitable on the platform.

A 29-year-old man who stabbed his mother’s new partner at least 10 times before shooting him dead with his own handgun during a street brawl on Monday night surrendered to police on Tuesday.

Muang Songkhla police were alerted to the events at a house on Klinprapai Road in tambon Khao Rup Chang, Muang district, around 8.35pm on Monday.

Officers found Winai Hirankul, 53, lying dead in the street outside the house. He had multiple wounds caused by a sharp weapon and several gunshot wounds.

The suspect, Peerapol Phetkaew, 29, had fled the scene. He surrendered to police on Tuesday morning and handed over a knife and gun he said were used to kill Winai. He remains in custody. The house remained closed, with no one inside. Bloodstains, broken glass and debris from a beauty salon door damaged during their violent altercation were still visible in front of the house.

Police said relatives told them that Mr Peerapol’s mother, a hairdresser, had been in a relationship with Winai for some time. This had reportedly caused tension between the two men.

Mr Peerapol feared his mother would no longer look after her own home and family. The two men had reportedly argued several times over the relationship. (continues below)

Relatives said Mr Peerapol had confronted Winai, accusing him of becoming involved with his mother and leaving her little time to care for her own family.

Earlier that day relatives reportedly saw Mr Peerapol sitting and sharpening a knife.

Later, Winai arrived at the house, followed by Mr Peerapol, who arrived on a motorcycle with a friend.

The two men reportedly argued before coming to blows. As Winai turned away, Mr Peerapol allegedly stabbed and slashed him repeatedly with a knife, inflicting a severe wound to his neck.

It is alleged Mr Peerapol then took Winai’s .38 calibre handgun from the man’s waistband and fired three or four shots at him before fleeing.

Relatives told police that Winai had recently expressed a feeling that something bad might happen and had therefore started carrying the firearm. (continues below)

A security camera at a house opposite captured the confrontation. It reportedly showed both men grappling before falling to the ground, after which Mr Peerapol allegedly stabbed Winai at least 10 times with a pointed knife.

The footage also recorded the screams of Mr Peerapol’s mother during the attack.

Central Pattana Plc (CPN) has posted strong second-quarter 2026 results, with total revenue rising 8% year-on-year to 13.1 billion baht and net profit up 10% to 4.75 billion baht, driven by its core business.

The company paid a record-high dividend of 2.40 baht per share.

Naparat Sriwanvit, chief finance officer and president of CPN’s Hotel and Office Businesses, said the performance reflects the strength of the company’s core business.

“The core business achieved a new record-high revenue for the fourth consecutive quarter, supported by new shopping centres, asset enhancement of existing malls, and tenant mix optimisation. These factors boosted foot traffic and tenant sales,” she said.

Effective portfolio management has enabled CPN to sustain growth and deliver record returns to shareholders.

Ms Naparat said the achievements reinforce the company’s role as a leading place maker, creating destinations that drive economic growth and quality of life.

In the quarter, CPN opened two new mixed-use projects in high-potential cities.

Central Khonkaen Campus redefines lifestyle experiences and energises Khon Kaen’s education and economic district.

Meanwhile, Central Northville, Thailand’s first outdoor-inspired indoor shopping centre, introduces a new lifestyle concept integrating nature, wellness and daily living.

The Phyll Khonkaen condominium project sold out within three days of presales, generating over 1.6 billion baht.

Central Park Offices in Bangkok attracts leading global companies. Deutsche Bank has selected Central Park Offices as the location of its new Thailand headquarters, reflecting strong confidence in the project’s potential and reinforcing the Silom-Rama IV district as a premier financial district, she said.

In hotels, GO! Hotel Khon Kaen Campus and GO! Hotel Nakhon Sawan have received a strong response since opening.

Ms Naparat said that, strategically located adjacent to Central shopping centres, the hotels offer the “Get, Set, GO, Happy” concept for tourists, business travellers and the new generation seeking affordable travel experiences.

By the end of the quarter, CPN operated 45 shopping centres and 16 community malls, with a total net leasable area of 2.4 million square metres.

The company also operates 11 office buildings, 13 hotels and 52 residential projects.

Police have charged politician Chalong Riewraeng with premeditated murder and other serious offences in the shooting death of the Nonthaburi provincial administration chief, and he was denied release on bail by the provincial court on Tuesday.

The Royal Thai Police Office said police at Rattanathibet station officially filed four charges against the former MP before taking him to the Nonthaburi Provincial Court on Tuesday, where he was denied release on bail and his detention extended.

The charges are: premeditated murder, attempted murder, discharging a firearm in a public place, and illegally carrying a firearm in a public place

Mr Chalong is a former MP for Nonthaburi for several parties at past general elections.

The police statement said the court rejected an application for the suspect’s temporary release on bail, which was strongly opposed by police in view of the serious nature of the charges.

Mr Chalong refused to talk to reporters as he was whisked off by a convoy of police vehicles and police commandos from Rattanathibet police station, several media outlets reported. He is detained at the Nonthaburi Provincial Prison as the crime was committed in Nonthaburi.

He is charged with shooting dead retired Pol Col Thongchai Yenprasert, president of the Nonthaburi Provincial Administration Organisation, in a parking lot behind the PAO offices in Muang district in Nonthaburi on Monday morning. His driver, known only as Yod, was also wounded.

Thongchai was declared dead at Phranangklao Hospital. The victim was Mr Chalong’s long-time friend but had reportedly refused to repay an 11 million baht debt he owed the accused man.

Mr Chalong was also fined 5,000 baht on Tuesday for smoking in a public office in breach of public health regulations, after pictures of him calmly smoking during his interrogation at Rattanathibet police station on Monday went public.

Police have been accused of showing him undue leniency and allowing him special privileges. Critics pointed out he was also not handcuffed, in contravention of normal practice.

The driver of a BMW sedan was arrested after police found a pistol and 28 rounds of ammunition concealed under his seat at a checkpoint in Phuket’s Muang district on Monday night.

Interior permanent secretary Unsit Sampuntharat said on Tuesday the check point was operating under the supervision of officials led by Phuket deputy governor Khetrath Chansilp, acting security adviser to the Interior Ministry, and Muang Phuket district chief Siwat Rawangkul. It was in tambon Koh Kaew.

Officials stopped and searched a BMW that aroused their suspicions and found a CZ pistol with a magazine containing 28 rounds in a bag underneath the driver’s seat.

The driver, identified only as Nat, 37, was unable to produce a permit to possess, use or carry a firearm. He was detained and charged.

The diver and seized weapon were handed over to Muang Phuket police for legal action.

Mr Unsit said provincial administrative officials and police have stepped up checkpoints and roadblocks across the country since Aug 7 as part of measures ordered by Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to strengthen public safety and protect lives and property.

He warned people against knowingly breaking the law, particularly carrying firearms in vehicles or public places, saying such offences were serious and could not be justified on the grounds of self-defence or other purposes. Offenders would face the maximum penalties stipulated by law.

The prime minister had previously ordered a temporary suspension of the issuing of licences to carry, effective for one year from Feb 20.

Provincial administrative officials would continue setting up checkpoints and roadblocks while conducting joint operations to search suspected areas, he said.

Anyone found in possession of an unlicensed or unregistered firearm would face the maximum penalty prescribed by law, Mr Unsit said. People who possess unregistered firearms should surrender them, and could do so at any district office.