Category: The Bangkok Post

Nearly 150,000 households displaced by clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops along the border have begun receiving relief payments from the government, though many recipients say the amount is simply not enough to cover their losses, especially if fresh clashes erupt.

According to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) on Monday, 147,370 households in Buri Ram, Si Sa Ket, and Surin have received financial assistance from the government — 39,632 in Buri Ram, 37,297 in Si Sa Ket, and 70,441 in Surin.

In line with a resolution passed by the cabinet on Aug 26, households that were displaced for more than eight days are eligible to receive 5,000 baht in compensation, while households which were displaced for less than seven days would receive 2,000 baht each.

The payments, which are disbursed through the Government Savings Bank starting Monday, are part of a wider initiative to help those who had to evacuate their homes during the recent border skirmishes.

Long queues formed at ATMs and bank branches early Monday morning, as recipients rushed to withdraw the money. Some even left their home as early as 1am on Monday to queue at the bank.

Somjit Chaiwan, 76, from Si Sa Ket, was among those who queued before the bank opened.

She said she wanted to withdraw the 5,000 baht in aid as soon as the bank opened, as she needed the money to buy rice and daily necessities. “Some will be kept for fuel in case we need to evacuate again,” she said.

Ton Saewprakhon, 60, in Buri Ram, said he planned to save the entire sum. “I won’t spend it now. I’ll keep it for the next evacuation because I don’t know what’s going to happen with Cambodia,” he said.

Many others, however, said the money would go toward repaying loans they took out during the evacuation period.

One Si Sa Ket resident said her family spent over 10,000 baht during their week-long evacuation. “The aid helps, but most of it will go towards settling what we borrowed,” she said.

To meet the demand for cash, local banks prepared extra cash reserves ahead of opening on Monday.

The Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives in Ban Kruat said it had set aside 30 million baht per week to prevent cash shortages at ATMs.

Despite the relief, opposition MP Rangsiman Rome, chair of the House committee on national security and border affairs, said the government’s support remains inadequate.

“Many villagers have told me that 5,000 baht is not enough. Some are still waiting for their electricity bill payments to be reimbursed, and many village defence volunteers have yet to be paid,” he said.

Relief for residents in Ubon Ratchathani, Sa Kaeo, and Trat will be transferred next, according to DDPM.

Thailand has made clear it will not attend this weekend’s round of border talks unless Cambodia submits a plan to move its citizens out of three Thai border villages by the deadline on Tuesday night.

The Royal Thai Army posted a Facebook message on Tuesday morning reiterating its intention to boycott the Regional Boundary Committee (RBC) meeting scheduled in Poipet from Friday to Sunday unless the Thai condition is met.

Cambodia’s Military Region 5 would host the meeting with leaders of the 1st Army Region, which is responsible for the border in Sa Kaeo.

The Thai regional team had demanded Cambodia present a plan to vacate structures erected on Thai soil in three villages in Sa Kaeo province no later than Tuesday. The villages are Ban Nong Chan and Ban Nong Ya Kaeo in Khok Sung district and Ban Ta Phraya in Ta Phraya district.

The latest Thai position was posted as the deadline approached. The Cambodian side had earlier, on Sunday, rejected the Thai condition.

“The RBC meeting will not take place due to no additional agenda items to end the problems on the Thai-Cambodian border,” the 1st Army Region said.

Cambodia has dismissed the Thai call and is preparing to counter Thailand’s move to evict Cambodians from the Thai villages after the deadline passes.

October has long been recognised globally as Breast Cancer Awareness Month-a time dedicated to raising awareness and encouraging prevention of one of the most prevalent health threats faced by women worldwide.

This year, the Thanyarak Foundation under the Royal Patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Srinagarindra, led by Mrs Bussadee Chearavanont, Committee and Secretary of the Foundation, once again joins hands with PAUL Thailand, represented by Ms Atchara Sottipattanapong, Chief Executive Officer of the Food Chain and Coffee House Group, to blend the exquisite sweetness of authentic French pastries with the profound power of giving.

Through the ‘Pink October’ campaign-now in its third consecutive year-the collaboration aims not only to inspire Thai women to embrace self-care by performing regular breast self-examinations and undergoing annual screenings, under the belief that ‘the best protection is early detection,’ but also to create a meaningful opportunity for everyone to contribute to women’s health.

Every purchase of PAUL’s Grand Macarons-delicate on the outside, soft within, and available in five indulgent flavours: Vanilla, Raspberry, Chocolate, Pistachio, and Coffee-or a Mini Macarons Box (six flavours: Coconut, Raspberry, Chocolate, Pistachio, Lemon, and Caramel) helps make a difference. For every piece sold, 30 baht will be donated to the Thanyarak Foundation to support the procurement of essential medical equipment and expand access to early breast cancer screening for underprivileged women at the Thanyarak Breast Centre, Siriraj Hospital.

PAUL Thailand Extends ‘Pink October’ to Empower Women

Customers can support the ‘Pink October’ campaign from 1-31 October 2025 at all PAUL Thailand branches, including Central Embassy, CentralWorld, The Emporium, Tops Chidlom, Thonglor, ICONSIAM, Suvarnabhumi Airport, and Bangkok Hospital. The campaign is also available via Grab and LINE MAN delivery platforms. For more details, please visit www.paulthailand.com or contact 0-2411-5657-9

The Hill Area and Community Development Foundation (HADF) is urging the government to expedite the granting of citizenship status to elderly stateless individuals, thereby improving their access to basic healthcare and state welfare schemes.

HADF founder, Tuenjai Deetes, said the foundation organised a discussion in Toet Thai village in Chiang Rai’s Mae Fah Luang district last week, which was attended by the village chief and about 80 elderly stateless individuals from the community — many of whom have lived in Thailand for over 40 years.

Among the elderly who were at the meeting was Jongjue Sae-Huang, 73, who emigrated from Yunnan, China, in 1964, when he was 14, but has yet to receive Thai citizenship.

Another individual, Sang-oung Khamsai, 73, immigrated to Thailand via Mae Sai district in 1974.

“I have worked and built a family here. I would be proud if I had the Thai nationality,” she said.

Stateless individuals who have lived in Thailand for over 40 years are eligible to receive Thai citizenship, but in reality, there are over 110,000 elderly individuals who remain stateless despite multiple attempts to grant them citizenship, Ms Tuenjai said.

In 1994, many stateless individuals in the community were granted alien identification cards. The government at the time said those who had had the card for at least five years would be granted citizenship.

“It wasn’t as simple as they said,” said Ms Tuenjai.

On Oct 29 last year, the cabinet passed yet another resolution to grant stateless individuals who have lived in Thailand for a long time, as well as children born to stateless parents in Thailand, Thai nationality.

However, the process to obtain Thai citizenship isn’t easy for elderly people to follow, and many have had to revise their application multiple times, which has caused delays in granting them citizen status.

Ms Tuenjai urged the government to streamline the process.

“The government should prioritise this group of elderly people, some of whom have lived in Thailand for more than 40 years at this point. Granting them the nationality would help them get access to healthcare and state pension,” said Ms Tuenjai.

According to Ms Tuenjai, Chiang Rai has the highest number of nationality applications, with over 1,000 submitted to the Department of Provincial Administration (DoPA) to date.

At least 400 applications have been approved by the Interior Ministry, while around 900 require additional supporting documents, she said.

About 90 have been interviewed by the provincial committee.

The Department of Highways has vowed to quickly fix signs and resolve GPS issues that drivers have blamed for unwanted detours onto Motorway M81 from Bang Yai in Nonthaburi to Kanchanaburi.

The issue gained traction after a viral Facebook post described one user’s distressing experience: ‘The worst thing happened. The mall (Central Westgate) required a left turn, but Maps said right – and I ended up on M81 heading to Kanchanaburi with no way out. I cried while driving.’

Other users responded with similar stories, citing the route’s complexity and the need for heightened awareness.

In response, the department acknowledged the confusion and pledged to improve the signage and road markings.

The department is expediting the installation of clearer directional signs and road surface markings, especially at key junctions like Bang Yai (Rattanathibet Road). These updates aim to help drivers distinguish between the motorway entrance and local destinations during the trial phase of M81.

The measure also involves coordinating with navigation app providers to update entry/exit points, toll booth locations and operational hours. The goal is to minimise misinformation and achieve real-time accuracy for users relying on GPS navigation.

Also, there will be alternate exit guidance for drivers who mistakenly enter the M81. The department recommends exiting at the Nakhon Chai Si toll gate, turning onto Highway 3233, and making a U-turn to rejoin M81 toward Bang Yai. The detour takes approximately 15 minutes.

The department reaffirmed its commitment to resolving the issue swiftly and, in the meantime, urged motorists to consult official entry/exit maps and plan routes carefully.

Sunday’s 35-million-baht gold robbery in Narathiwat was the work of the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN) separatist group according to the defence minister, and the looted gold is believed to have been smuggled across the border into Malaysia.

Defence Minister Gen Nattaphon Narkphanit on Tuesday confirmed that 600-baht-weight of gold was stolen during the armed hold up in the Big C mall in Sungai Kolok district by a gang of gunmen in black.

He rejected speculation that the heist was somehow linked to last week’s change of the 4th Army commander and his team. .

The new army commander-in-chief, Gen Pana Klaewplodthuk, was scheduled to visit the area, and he would also go there, the defence minister said.

Gen Nattaphon said he had received reports that the robbery was the work of members of the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), who afterwards fled back to “a neighbouring country”.

Asked about criticism that appointing an “outsider” to lead the 4th Army had created a power vacuum, the minister rejected the idea.

‘That is not the case. Soldiers are duty-bound wherever they serve. It was not the first gold shop robbery in the deep South,’ he said.

On comments that the holdup appeared well-coordinated and probably involved insiders who provided details about the shop and escape routes, Gen Nattaphon agreed further investigation was needed. The new 4th Army commander would provide more clarity, he said.

He confirmed reports the stolen gold had been smuggled out of Thailand and said efforts to recover it and arrest the robbers would require cross-border cooperation.

Gen Nattaphon also referred to the National Security Council’s decision to appoint former NSC secretary-general Gen Somsak Rungsita the new head of the Peace Dialogue Panel for the southern border provinces.

He had already held preliminary discussions with Gen Somsak, he said. As the government had only four months left in office, he had asked the panel to set priorities and deliver tangible results within the timeframe.

According to the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) Region 4, .the armed robbery in Sungai Kolok district netted about 35.6 million baht in gold jewellery, and was carried out to fund a southern separatist network,

Investigators on Monday found two pickup trucks they believe were used by the gang, abandoned at an oil palm plantation in Waeng district.

Police now believe the heist involved 19 or 20 men in three groups. The first group stole the two pickups used in the heist, another raided the gold shop and the third placed explosive charges and scattered tyre spikes on roads around the shopping centre to prevent pursuit.

With the passage of the Genius Act, the United States will allow all manner of companies to issue their own money in the form of crypto assets known as “stablecoins”.

With a single piece of legislation, Congress has made the US financial system more vulnerable to crises, increased the chances of government bailouts for tech platforms and further entrenched Silicon Valley’s already substantial political power.

Nor do the risks end there. By blessing a less regulated alternative to bank deposits, Congress may have created conditions that will choke off the flow of credit to productive enterprises, as well as circumscribing the US Federal Reserve’s ability to conduct monetary policy through open market operations.

Moreover, the House of Representatives recently passed the Clarity Act, which would upend securities laws by creating gaping loopholes for assets whose ownership is recorded on a blockchain. The bill is not guaranteed to pass, now that other financial market players seem to be waking up to the dangers that could be unleashed by destroying the integrity of US capital markets. Yet the risk of it becoming law cannot be ignored. If it does, we will effectively be reverting to the “buyer beware” markets of the 1920s.

Making matters worse, these laws will inevitably create pressure for other countries to follow suit. Special interests and various constituents will pepper foreign lawmakers with arguments about not wanting to be left behind on innovation, and with concerns about local currencies being supplanted by US dollar-denominated stablecoins.

But it would be wrong to view America’s new crypto laws as examples of shrewd innovation measures or wise geopolitical policies. On the contrary, these bills are advancing at a time when the US is gutting public funding for scientific and technological research, raising serious doubts about the country’s commitment to innovation. Moreover, the dollar’s dominance rests on political and economic foundations, not the currency’s technological plumbing, and the administration’s trade policy and attacks on central-bank independence may end up threatening those foundations.

Even the crypto industry could come to rue these laws’ passage. It has prospered, so far, from playing by a more lenient set of rules than its regulated counterparts in the traditional financial sector. Will it lose that edge as these laws unleash broader financial deregulation? In financial markets where no one can trust anything, why should we expect crypto, which already has a bad reputation among the vast majority of Americans, to boom?

If these laws are not in the long-term interest of the American people or even the crypto industry, what is motivating their passage? No doubt the crypto industry desires this legislation because it sees an opportunity for short-term profits and does not care about the legislation’s likely long-term effects.

But we also should factor in some of the unusual ideologies that hold sway in Silicon Valley. Consider the “Network State” movement. Championed by some key figures in the crypto industry, such as Brian Armstrong, the CEO of the crypto firm Coinbase, it aims to build social networks linked by cryptocurrencies that would opt out of the jurisdiction of national governments and eventually gain diplomatic recognition from real nation-states.

True adherents of this movement have no interest in making nation-states work better, and they would surely see the chaos following a financial crisis as an opportunity to advance their vision.

There is also an eschatological dimension to many Silicon Valley elites’ worldview. As the philosopher Émile Torres points out, Silicon Valley types increasingly subscribe to the belief that true AI will end the world as we know it. In this context, a global financial crisis would seem like a non-event. If you are convinced that our current way of life is ending, it makes sense that you would fixate instead on ensuring that our cyborg descendants can prosper in other galaxies.

In addition to the obvious consumer-protection and financial-stability risks posed by embracing deregulated crypto markets, these ideological motivations should concern foreign lawmakers who are contemplating their own crypto legislation.

For many, the point of US-style crypto laws is to construct monetary and financial systems that lie beyond the boundaries of democratic accountability.

Anyone concerned about their own democracy and sovereignty would do well not to follow America down this path.

The cosmetic surgery and aesthetics sector in Thailand is projected to post minimal growth next year due to weakened spending among locals and an increasingly competitive market, according to Meko International Hospital.

Dr Wararat Sirikudta, chief executive of Meko International Hospital, said the industry might record slim growth next year, affected by the diminished purchasing power of Thais.

She said businesses targeting price-sensitive customers could face more challenges due to decreased customer purchasing power in a challenging economic environment, while new entrants into the market are expected to continue.

The number of clinics offering non-surgical cosmetic treatments in Bangkok is approaching saturation point, said Dr Wararat.

In a strategic move, she announced the merger of Meko Clinic with Someko Clinic to establish Meko International Hospital, targeting both Thai and foreign patients.

Dr Wararat said the company predicts business opportunities in overseas markets, particularly from customers travelling to Thailand for services from Indonesia, China, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

The company is focusing on customers from Indonesia and China as both countries have large populations and their economies are growing, while other Southeast Asian nations record gradual growth.

The tension between Thailand and Cambodia also hurts the industry, she said, as the number of customers from Cambodia declined.

The company aims to increase its foreign customer base to 25% of customers by 2026, up from the current 20%.

In September, Kasikorn Research Center (K-Research) predicted the cosmetic surgery and aesthetics industry would be worth 75.2 billion baht this year, a 1.6% year-on-year growth.

For 2026, the report projected an industry value of 76 billion baht, up 1% year-on-year. The slight uptick reflects the ongoing competitive environment in the industry.

As Thailand transitions to an aged society, the potential market for anti-ageing surgery or aesthetic procedures is expected to expand, providing further opportunities for growth in the industry, according to the K-Research report.

The report also anticipated a growth in medical tourism, suggesting that the cosmetic surgery sector could benefit from Asian customers seeking services in Thailand.

K-Research warned intense market competition in the market poses a challenge to this industry, which is expected to see around 470 newcomers on average each year.

Microsoft has admitted that two widely used features in Windows 10 and Windows 11 are slowing down computers, with OneDrive file synchronisation and visual effects identified as the main causes.

The company has also shared advice for users and pledged improvements in future updates.

The disclosure follows Microsoft’s claim that Windows 11 version 25H2, its latest update, delivers far better performance than versions 24H2 and 22H2, particularly in speed and responsiveness. However, the company acknowledged that certain built-in features can counteract these improvements.

The first culprit is OneDrive sync. Microsoft described OneDrive as an essential tool that allows users to access files across devices and provides cloud backup in case of hardware failure. But the process of real-time syncing consumes significant system resources, especially when large folders such as Documents, Desktop or Pictures are uploaded or downloaded. This can cause noticeable slowdowns at peak times.

To mitigate the issue, Microsoft recommends that users pause OneDrive synchronisation temporarily if their PC feels sluggish. The company stressed that doing so will not affect existing files, and syncing can be resumed at any time. Microsoft added that the new OneDrive app for Windows 11 may optimise resource usage in future updates, reducing the problem.

The second feature slowing systems is Windows 11’s visual effects, including animations and shadows, that enhance the look of the interface. Microsoft explained that these consume additional CPU, GPU and RAM resources. Devices with limited specifications, particularly those with less than 8GB of RAM, are most affected, resulting in lag or delays when multiple applications are opened simultaneously.

Turning off the effects can be done through the Performance Options menu. Users can search ‘performance’ in Windows, select ‘Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows’, and then choose ‘Adjust for best performance’ before applying the changes.

Disabling the effects simplifies the interface but makes systems more responsive, especially on entry-level laptops and PCs.

Microsoft confirmed that OneDrive sync and visual effects are the two main factors slowing down Windows systems. Small adjustments, such as pausing sync or disabling animations, can noticeably boost performance in both Windows 11 and Windows 10, without the need to install additional software.

Thailand’s rapidly growing electric vehicle (EV) market is facing significant structural gaps that pose challenges to consumer rights, including battery safety risks, unclear warranty conditions, and unfair after-sales service, according to a new Thailand Consumer Council (TCC) study.

Researchers, led by Manon Suklamai of King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, surveyed more than 400 EV users and compared global regulatory practices as part of the study.

It found that Thai consumers remain exposed to multiple risks and called for stronger protection measures, including the introduction of “lemon laws” to ensure accountability from manufacturers. Lemon laws, found in countries such as the US, China, and Singapore, provide consumers with legal recourse if they are sold a defective vehicle.

“A product recall should not be seen as something alarming — it is a sign of responsibility from the manufacturer,” Mr Manon said. “Thailand urgently needs clear and comprehensive consumer protection mechanisms, and a lemon law is not about forcing replacements alone, but about improving product quality from production through to post-sale service.”

The study identified three key areas of concern: safety and lack of central standards — especially for battery systems, fire prevention, home charger installation and emergency response; unclear legal and after-sales frameworks — including vague warranty terms, slow claims processing, long waits for spare parts and complicated registration for modified or converted EVs; and economic instability and loss of consumer confidence — stemming from sudden price cuts on new models that devalue secondhand cars and increase debt burdens, along with uncertainty about the long-term presence of manufacturers and importers.

Researchers also found that the release of new EV models at high prices, followed by rapid price reductions, has left early buyers feeling shortchanged and undermined trust in the market.

This volatility not only affects consumers but also disrupts the broader automotive industry and financial stability, the researchers said.

The TCC study also compared Thailand’s situation with six other regions.

It found that Europe, China and the United States have established frameworks similar to the lemon law, requiring manufacturers and dealers to take responsibility for defective vehicles or those requiring frequent repairs.

Japan, meanwhile, enforces strict penalties on violators to prevent issues from occurring at the source, it said.

Thailand, by contrast, continues to face repeated consumer complaints and lacks any formal, preventive mechanism to protect EV buyers, it noted.

The research team proposes a comprehensive policy package involving coordination among multiple agencies to ensure fairness, safety and stability in the EV market.

Mr Manon said that lawsuits should be “the last resort” and that strong preventive policies are more crucial.

“If Thailand develops solid standards for manufacturing, conversions, installation, after-sales service and insurance — along with safety measures for charging stations and buildings — recurring EV problems will decline significantly,” he said.

He added that Thailand is now at a pivotal stage, transitioning from being a global car assembly hub to an EV production base, and must therefore focus on increasing local content and technology transfer to strengthen domestic industry and competitiveness.

The report concluded that implementing these measures would enhance consumer confidence, promote fairness, reduce safety and debt risks and help Thailand achieve its goal of becoming a sustainable regional hub for EVs.

The TCC is urging all relevant government agencies to integrate their efforts and act swiftly to turn these recommendations into concrete policy outcomes.