Category: The Bangkok Post

Shrewsbury International School Bangkok Riverside, has once again excelled on the global academic stage, announcing its exceptional 2025 examination results and underscoring its position as one of the Thailand’s leading international schools. The Class of 2025 achieved outstanding academic outcomes whilst also securing places at many of the world’s most prestigious universities.

Graduates from the Class of 2025 are set to continue their studies at more than 65 top universities worldwide, including four Ivy League institutions, 38 Russell Group universities, the University of Cambridge, and the University of Exeter. Over 40% will attend leading UK universities such as UCL, Imperial College London, University of Bath, University of Exeter, and University of Warwick, while 25% will study in the United States at institutions including Cornell University, New York University, Babson College, Boston University, and Columbia University. The others will join top universities in Thailand, across Europe, Asia, and Australia, affirming Shrewsbury Bangkok Riverside’s role as a gateway for global academic excellence. In addition, graduates are pursuing diverse fields of study, spanning Business, Science, Medicine, Law, Humanities, and Creative Arts, reflecting the diversity of interests across the cohort.

Shrewsbury Bangkok Riverside also reported record success across examination results. At A-Level, 65% of grades were awarded at A*/A. At AS-Level, 90% of students achieved grades A/B, while at IGCSE, 74% of grades were awarded at A*/A. These results further highlight the school’s commitment to academic excellence and consistent delivery of world-class outcomes across all stages of senior school examinations.

Thailand’s motorcycle market should record more sales in the final quarter of this year thanks to government stimulus measures that are expected to increase consumer purchasing power and lift business confidence, says Thai Honda, a manufacturer and distributor of motorcycles and multi-purpose engines.

The recovery is expected to be fuelled by an uptick in the granting of auto loans by banks and car financing companies as they are likely to consider relaxing the lending criteria, said Samphan Kwanjai, general manager of Thai Honda.

The projection of more loans being granted is based on a decline in non-performing loans among car buyers, following banks’ months-long strict criteria in lending money amid the high level of household debt and the state’s 10,000-baht cash handout scheme that helped motorcycle owners partly repay their loans.

“We have a new government that wants to stimulate the economy in the short term,” said Mr Samphan.

“We are positive about the government’s efforts that should increase people’s spending.”

However, Thailand is continuing to face economic uncertainties, caused by internal and external factors, during the second half of this year, which could affect the automotive industry, said Yuichi Shimizu, president of Thai Honda.

Low prices of agricultural products can weaken people’s purchasing power while the global economic slowdown will affect the Thai economy, he said.

Thai Honda expects its motorcycle sales to increase by 2% year-on-year to between 1.36 and 1.4 million units in 2025 while total sales of motorcycles in the domestic market are expected to increase by 1% to 1.7-1.75 million units.

From January to August this year, total motorcycle sales increased by just 1.4% to 1.18 million units, according to the Federation of Thai Industries. In August, the sales volume fell by 1.1% to 130,283 units.

Last year, Thai Honda produced 1.57 million motorcycles at its plant in Bangkok’s Lad Krabang Industrial Estate, with 1.35 million units sold domestically and the remainder exported.

Mr Shimizu said the company is not concerned about the regional value content rule that requires manufacturers to use a certain amount of locally sourced materials for production to benefit from US reduced tariffs.

“Locally made materials currently account for 82-90% of our total motorcycle parts, meaning we support local products and employment,” he said.

The firm employs 8,620 workers, most of whom are Thai.

Viriyah Insurance, Thailand’s largest non-life insurer, is charting a course into the digital era by placing artificial intelligence (AI) at the centre of its long-term strategy in order to retain its leading market position.

The company expects to record 42.6 billion baht in direct premiums this year, growth of 3.7% year-on-year. As of August, the company earned 28.1 billion baht in premiums, up 5.53% year-on-year.

With a market share of 14.5%, Viriyah has maintained its leading position in the non-life insurance segment, said managing director Amorn Thongthew.

Thailand’s non-life insurance industry continues to show resilience amid an economic slowdown, volatile politics and rising natural disaster risk, he said. In the first half of 2025, the sector recorded direct premiums of 146 billion baht, up 3.4% year-on-year, supported mainly by growth in accident, health and fire insurance.

“Viriyah has consistently outpaced the industry thanks to customer trust in our comprehensive services,” said Mr Amorn.

During the first eight months of 2025, motor insurance contributed 24.7 billion baht in premiums, up 4.5% year-on-year, for a 23.3% market share, while non-motor insurance surged 13% to 3.4 billion, accounting for a 3.74% share.

For the remainder of the year, the industry could face slower growth without government stimulus, he said. However, Mr Amorn said Viriyah remains confident of achieving its 2025 target of 42.6 billion baht in premiums, comprising 37.6 billion from motor insurance, up 3.3% year-on-year, with non-motor insurance soaring 11% to 4.98 billion.

“Our focus this year is to build a stronger balance between motor and non-motor products,” he said. “We remain committed to delivering ‘more than protection, true value’ for customers through every service touchpoint.”

THREE STRATEGIC PILLARS

Viriyah’s growth strategy is anchored on three core goals. The first is elevating service quality across omnichannel touchpoints to ensure seamless, convenient experiences for both online and offline operations.

Second, the company is expanding business ecosystem by increasing partnerships in electric vehicle (EV) claim services nationwide, specialised repair networks, and exclusive privilege programmes from 65 to 80 partner brands. The final focus is on human capital with efforts such as building leadership pipelines and equipping its 7,000 employees with skills in AI, EV-related technologies, and digital services under a lifelong learning framework.

Viriyah is accelerating its digital transformation through insurtech initiatives by leveraging over 78 years of experience and a database of more than 8 million policies to enhance product design, claims management, and risk mapping, he noted.

The company is also launching behaviour-based products, including PayLite, a usage-based motor policy for light drivers, and 2+ Good Drive, which refunds 30% of premiums to safe drivers who don’t make any claims.

To build its AI-driven future, Viriyah has engaged global consultancy Roland Berger to design its information and data architecture as part of a long-term digital roadmap.

In 2026, Viriyah targets growth in line with the overall industry, similar to this year’s growth andthe company has vowed to further speed up health insurance claims processing, expand EV repair networks nationwide, and roll out new products to address emerging risks, such as cyber insurance and property coverage for solar panel usage.

“Viriyah Insurance is about more than just car insurance. Our mission is to provide comprehensive protection for every aspect of our customers’ lives, combining human service excellence with AI-powered innovation,” said Mr Amorn.

In the medium to long term, the company sees AI as the most transformative force shaping the Thai insurance industry, one that will redefine customer, partner, and insurer experiences across the board while keeping people at the heart of service delivery.

A taskforce set up to enhance the attractiveness of the Thai capital market has launched a sweeping reform package, seeking to deliver quick results within the next four months while laying the foundations for long-term competitiveness.

The Taskforce for a Competitive and Attractive Market, which consists of representatives from the Ministry of Finance’s Fiscal Policy Office (FPO), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) and the Federation of Thai Capital Market Organizations (Fetco) on Monday unveiled the Thai Capital Market Attractiveness Initiative.

The reforms are built around four pillars, comprising quality demand, attractive supply, trusted market and a supportive ecosystem. Together, they aim to restore investor confidence, expand fundraising opportunities and reposition Thailand as a regional fundraising hub.

The first set of measures focuses on simplifying initial public offering (IPO) rules to streamline listing procedures, reduce regulatory barriers and make the Thai market more competitive compared with regional peers.

The taskforce will also propose regulatory changes to the Ministry of Finance to eliminate outdated restrictions on fundraising, particularly for small and medium enterprises and “new economy” companies.

Thailand’s benchmark index has dropped more than 7% this year, the worst performer among Asia’s major stock markets, as international funds withdrew about US$2.9 billion.

“We need urgent action to restore the appeal of the [Thai] stock market among the international investors,” said SET president Asadej Kongsiri.

Tax incentives are being considered for technology firms endorsed by the Board of Investment, aiming to draw more innovative businesses to the Thai bourse.

The initiative also calls for expanding retail investor participation through individual investment accounts and providing greater access to wealth management tools and diverse financial products.

Under the attractive supply pillar, authorities plan to lure more high-potential new economy firms to list in Thailand, upgrade existing companies through programmes such as Jump+ and Value Up, and promote ESG disclosure aligned with the International Sustainability Standards Board framework.

The Trusted Market component emphasises reinforcing corporate governance, tightening oversight of market professionals and leveraging technology to boost transparency, particularly for small listed firms.

The supportive ecosystem pillar seeks to diversify investment products, accelerate digital transformation and update trading rules in line with evolving investor behaviour.

Warothai Kosolpisitkul, international economic advisor at the FPO, said the measures serve as quick win initiatives that will generate tangible short-term results while catalysing long-term economic restructuring.

By attracting high-potential businesses to raise funds, the market creates greater opportunities to drive growth across various sectors and broaden the investor base. This will make the Thai capital market a more efficient fundraising platform for national development, he added.

While global volatility and domestic structural challenges remain, regulators view that quick reforms in IPO rules, tax incentives and digitalisation, alongside structural measures to enhance governance and supply can restore inflows, strengthen resilience and secure Thailand’s standing in the global capital market.

SEC secretary-general Pornanong Budsaratragoon said in the next phase, the regulator will proceed with developing other areas of the capital market, including bond markets, investment units and a digital capital market.

FETCO chairman Kobsak Pootrakool said the collective effort to strengthen the stock market’s competitiveness helps address the country’s emerging challenges while maintaining the SET’s pivotal role in supporting the economy.

Establishing tangible quality demand, in particular, will serve as a key foundation for cultivating a long-term investment culture. This includes the development of individual investment accounts which will empower investors to transform their savings into sustainable long-term investments, preparing for the country’s transition towards an ageing society, he said.

The assistant teacher accused of striking a seven-year-old student with a metal ruler has submitted a resignation letter, but education authorities confirm the investigation will continue regardless of his employment status.

The incident, which occurred on Oct 2 at Ban Mae Chang School in Mae Mo district, involved a first-grader known locally as “Nong Pot” or “Nong Porsche”.

The boy allegedly took marshmallows from the teacher’s desk because his mother had no money to give him for school that day. In response, the teacher slapped the child, struck him with a ruler, pinched his neck and forced him to clean the school restroom.

The case has sparked widespread public outrage and was formally reported to Mae Mo police station, with the child’s mother taking him in to give a statement on Monday.

Thanayut Kamphira, deputy director of Lampang Primary Educational Service Area Office 1, confirmed that the teacher’s resignation will be approved.

However, he insisted that the disciplinary investigation will proceed independently. “The resignation does not affect the process. We will work for transparency and fairness,” he said.

Has the Asean chair upped the ante on the bloc’s strategy regarding Palestine?

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was blunt at the recent Doha Emergency Summit on Palestine regarding Israel’s airstrikes on Qatar. The Asean chair called the bombing “lawless, barbaric and indefensible”, decrying the attack on Doha and the peace-mediating efforts.

His words had a deeper meaning because Israel has openly declared time and time again that there will never be a Palestinian state. In fact, no other Asean leader has made such a statement. Could his call serve as a precursor for his Asean colleagues to reconsider the bloc’s position towards the Middle East situation?

Since 2004, in its annual joint communique, Asean has been supporting the two-state solution for Palestine. At the latest Asean ministerial meeting in July, Asean reaffirmed its longstanding support for the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including their rights to self-determination and to their homeland.

“We urged all parties concerned to redouble efforts towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict, with the aim of realising the two-state solution in accordance with international law and the relevant UNSC and United Nations General Assembly resolutions,” the communique stated.

On Sept 12, all Asean members were among the 142 UN members voting for the resolution endorsing the New York Declaration, which outlines time-bound and irreversible steps toward a two-state solution. It also condemns Hamas for its Oct 7, 2023, attack on civilians, demands the release of all hostages, and rejects territorial or demographic changes imposed by force.

For nearly eight decades, since the 1947 UN partition plan, this idea has been on the table but has never been implemented. Reasons were aplenty, including unpredictability on the ground and changing power dynamics, coupled with recent major geopolitical shifts. Today, the two-state solution has been rejuvenated due to the ongoing worsening conflict in Gaza.

With more than 65,000 Palestinians killed and millions displaced, international sympathy for the Palestinians has surged. The latest Israeli blockade of flotillas bringing humanitarian aid to the Palestinians has also been largely condemned. Asean citizens, including Malaysians and Indonesians, also joined these humanitarian efforts. At the last count, 160 out of 193 UN members recognised Palestine as a state.

However, some Asean members face dilemmas with the current situation in the Gaza conflict. Both Thailand and the Philippines sit at the heart of Asean’s Catch-22. Both are US treaty allies, and they depend heavily on Israel for their labour markets and security matters.

Today, 46,000 Thais are working on Israeli farms and construction sites. Another 30,000 Filipinos work there as caregivers and domestic staff. When the Gaza conflict began, 46 Thai workers were killed and 31 taken hostage.

Although it was a national tragedy, which was widely covered by the Thai media, it has not deterred Thai workers from seeking employment in Israel. In fact, the numbers increased compared to the level before the Oct 7 attack two years ago. Apparently, economic factors and lack of better-paid jobs at home have defeated fear and insecurity. Manila is no different, as Filipino caregivers continue to seek jobs in Israel, fully aware of the risks.

In future, issues related to the bloc’s position and economic security could pose major challenges. During their first summit in 2023, Asean and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) issued a joint statement calling for the safety of Asean citizens in Gaza, with Thailand pushing this message at the summit. Like it or not, Asean workers are now part of the ongoing conflict. It is time to rethink the bloc’s strategy towards the Middle East.

Given the current situation, it remains to be seen how the Asean chair will manage the Palestine issue. Timor Leste, which will join Asean as the 11th member on the morning of Oct 26 in Kuala Lumpur, will increase the bloc’s membership to 10. Dilli has also expressed strong solidarity with the Palestinian cause, citing similarities in its own history of struggle.

At present, Singapore has not yet recognised a Palestinian state, although it has always supported a negotiated two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

According to Channel News Asia, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said in parliament on Sept 22 that Singapore will reconsider its position on recognising a Palestinian state if the situation continues to deteriorate, or if Israel takes further steps to extinguish a two-state solution. “We will recognise the State of Palestine when it has an effective government that accepts Israel’s right to exist and categorically denounces terrorism,” added Mr Balakrishnan.

Further strengthening the bloc’s cooperation with the GCC is pivotal at this critical juncture. Asean wishes to see a stable and peaceful Middle East region, which is reducing reliance on the West. The 676-million Asean Community is potentially a powerful economic and security partnership for the GCC. After their first summit, both sides have further utilised their cooperative framework and action plans in energy transition, investment flows, digital economic development, tourism promotion and halal industry.

Furthermore, they also increase cooperation in political-security matters such as counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and maritime security.

In the future, apart from Turkey, Asean ties with the broader Middle East countries, including Jordan and Egypt, among others, must also be part of its strategy for external relations. Asean must further augment its bargaining power with more friends from this region.

Pol Gen Permpoon Chidchob, a former education minister and younger brother of Newin Chidchob – widely regarded as the real power behind the governing Bhumjaithai Party – has been appointed as an adviser to Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

The cabinet on Tuesday approved the appointment along with those of several other political officials. Pol Gen Permpoon served as education minister in the administration of former prime minister Srettha Thavisin.

His appointment as education minister at the time drew sharp criticism, particularly from the now-defunct Move Forward Party. The opposition party, the predecessor of the People’s Party, cited his role in the fatal hit-and-run case involving Vorayuth ‘Boss’ Yoovidhya.

The heir to the Red Bull fortune crashed his Ferrari into a motorcycle driven by a police officer in the Thong Lor area of Bangkok on Sept 3, 2012.

The National Anti Corruption Commission found that Pol Gen Permpoon, while serving as an assistant to the national police chief, failed to object to prosecutors’ decision to drop two charges against Vorayuth.

Pol Gen Permpoon faced unspecified disciplinary action at the time but was not among those indicted in 2024 for offences including manipulating speed estimates that resulted in the charges being dropped.

Two former senior prosecutors were sentenced to jail in April this year for misconduct in connection with the ‘Boss’ case.

The last remaining charge against Vorayuth, reckless driving causing death, carries a penalty of up to 10 years in jail, and expires in September 2027.

Porsche Design Tower Bangkok commenced construction October 7, 2025, marking a significant milestone in Asia’s ultra-luxury real estate sector. The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by executives from Porsche Lifestyle Group and Ananda Development, among them the CEOs of both partners, Stefan Buescher and Chanond Ruangkritya. Scheduled for completion in December 2028, this is Porsche Design’s third real estate project globally and first in Asia. Located in Bangkok’s vibrant Thonglor area, the development introduces revolutionary features including exclusive “Passion Spaces.” A meticulously designed show unit also opened today.

Stefan Buescher, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche Lifestyle Group, stated: “This groundbreaking represents the perfect synthesis of Porsche Design’s engineering and design excellence. Innovations like the Kinetic Move façade system, the X-Frame, the Crown and the exclusive Passion Spaces demonstrate our commitment to creating living spaces that reflect technical sophistication and innovative functionality. This architectural masterpiece broadens the Porsche brand’s appeal by offering ultra-exclusive experiences.”

Chanond Ruangkritya, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ananda Development, said: “We are proud to bring this vision to life in Bangkok. Together, we are setting a new standard for luxury living in Asia, reinforcing Bangkok’s position as a leading destination for global luxury real estate investment and creating a sophisticated living experience that celebrates the passions of our future residents.”

Located on Sukhumvit 38, one of Bangkok’s most prestigious addresses, the Porsche Design Tower Bangkok will feature 22 exclusive duplex and quadplex ‘Sky Villas’ ranging from 525 to 1,135 square metres. The development showcases several revolutionary features that set new standards in luxury living:

“Passion Spaces” – Private garages for luxury car collections, fully customisable into sophisticated entertainment spaces

‘The Kinetic Move’ – An automated terrace system inspired by the iconic Porsche 911 Targa roof mechanism

“The Crown” – A distinctive lighting signature, inspired by Porsche’s iconic design, set to illuminate Bangkok’s skyline

“X-Frame” – An architectural feature inspired by Porsche’s Mission R concept car and its stunning exoskeleton structure creating a unique visual signature and column-free building entrance

“The Loop” – An innovative spiral access ramp enabling residents to drive vehicles to their Passion Space

Amenities include a 25-metre swimming pool, state-of-the-art fitness centre, spa facilities, social lounges, and business facilities. Each residence features a private swimming pool and technically inspired luxurious kitchens.

OpenAI has introduced new parental controls for ChatGPT, responding to growing concerns over teen safety and the chatbot’s influence on young users in both Thailand and around the world.

The move comes amid rising use of the artificial intelligence tool by Thai teenagers seeking help with homework, personal issues and even mental health struggles.

The update follows a tragic case in the United States, where the parents of 16-year-old Adam Raine have filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against OpenAI. They claim ChatGPT provided Adam with information about suicide methods in the months leading up to his death in April.

In early September, OpenAI announced the new safety features, developed in partnership with Common Sense Media, a nonprofit known for its age-based tech ratings. The controls aim to give parents more oversight while encouraging responsible AI use among teens, which Thai schools rarely provide.

Parents can now link their child’s ChatGPT account to their own, unlocking tools to limit sensitive content, restrict usage times, and toggle features like voice mode, memory saving and image generation. There’s also an option to prevent ChatGPT from using teens’ conversations to train its models.

One of the most critical additions is a notification system. If ChatGPT detects signs of potential self-harm, parents will receive alerts via email, text or push notification – unless they opt out. These alerts won’t include specific conversation details but will flag a possible safety risk.

OpenAI says a small, specially trained team will review flagged cases. If a parent cannot be reached and a threat is detected, the company is working on protocols to contact emergency services. ‘No system is perfect,’ OpenAI said, ‘but we believe it’s better to act than to stay silent.’

Despite the safeguards, teens can still bypass the controls. OpenAI admits that its age prediction system is still in development. If a teen disconnects their account from a parent’s, the parent will be notified – but the teen can continue using ChatGPT without an account.

Adam Raine reportedly circumvented ChatGPT’s filters by claiming he needed the information for a fictional story. OpenAI acknowledged that ‘guardrails help, but they’re not foolproof’.

Good parenting by being there for your children and giving them guidance on how to use AI responsibly is still the best way to give them immunity to AI misinformation and bad advice.

ICONSIAM, the global landmark on the Chao Phraya River, has once again demonstrated its leadership in creative collaboration with Thai creators and influencers, earning two prestigious accolades at the Thailand Influencer Awards 2025 – Best Retail Space Influencer Campaign for the Amazing Thailand Countdown 2025, and Best Soft Power and Tourist Destination Influencer Campaign for the *Thaiconic Songkran Celebration 2025.

These achievements highlight ICONSIAM’s ongoing commitment to creating marketing initiatives deeply rooted in customer insights, delivering experiences that exceed expectations while seamlessly connecting online audiences to world-class attractions at ICONSIAM. The awards reaffirm its role as one of Thailand’s foremost Soft Power hubs.

Mrs Suma Wongphan, Executive Vice President of ICONSIAM Co., Ltd., said, ‘Winning two awards at the Thailand Influencer Awards 2025 underscores ICONSIAM’s dedication to elevating experiences and creating impactful phenomena across all platforms. We prioritise working hand in hand with creators and influencers to co-create high-quality content that connects people, cultures, and the creative economy, while amplifying Thai culture on the global stage.’

She added that the recognition reflects ‘visionary collaboration with creators and influencers, generating powerful and memorable content that fulfils objectives in communication, marketing, and online engagement. It reinforces ICONSIAM’s position as more than just a global landmark – serving as a hub of world-class experiences and a platform for co-creating new value with partners from every sector.’

The Thailand Influencer Awards 2025 was co-hosted by Tellscore Co., Ltd., Thailand’s leading full-service influencer marketing platform, Thai Life Insurance, and ICONSIAM, under the theme ‘Creators of Change: Influencers Who Change the World and Lead the Way.’ The event honours outstanding influencers and groundbreaking campaigns by brands and agencies, with the goal of advancing Thailand’s influencer marketing industry to international standards.

ICONSIAM’s Amazing Thailand Countdown 2025 earned the Best Retail Space Influencer Campaign award for its seamless integration of offline and online experiences, allowing audiences to enjoy excitement, entertainment, and contemporary Thainess both in person and virtually. The Thaiconic Songkran Celebration 2025, winner of Best Soft Power and Tourist Destination Influencer Campaign, creatively showcased Thai culture and identity, reinforcing Thailand’s reputation as a hub of creative tourism.

Together, these accolades highlight ICONSIAM’s strength in producing innovative, inspiring, and authentic content that connects audiences worldwide with Thailand’s most extraordinary experiences.