Category: The Bangkok Post

The Bangkok Post’s Flashcard education campaign has won the second place for Best Publisher, Broadcasting Influencer Campaign in the Thailand Influencer Awards 2025 organised by influencer platform Tellscore.

The 2025 award held under the concept ‘Creators of Change – Changing the World, Path to Survival’ highlighted the roles of creators who leverage story telling and creativity to drive positive impact, whether on individuals, the economy, society or even during periods of political uncertainty and natural disasters, Suvita Charanwong, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of the Tellscore, said at the event held at ICONSIAM in Bangkok on Friday.

‘Creators are no longer merely producers of entertainment content, but have become sources of inspiration and knowledge, as well as key drivers of economic and social progress, enabling people to discover new opportunities,’ Ms Suvita said, noting that a key trend this year in responding to the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is creator-led branding.

‘This approach goes beyond simple differentiation, focusing instead on ‘telling stories with a human connection,’ she said. ‘It communicates what the brand represents, the value it delivers to consumers, and highlights the influencers and creators involved and how they engage with their communities.’

The Flashcard education campaign, created and launched by the Bangkok Post in February 2025, was given the second-prize award in the category Best Publisher, Broadcasting Influencer Campaign.

Chiratas Nivatpumin, Chief Operating Officer of the Bangkok Post, received the award on stage at the event held on Friday evening.

The Post flashcards in the Learning section feature more than 60 vocabulary categories, with Sustainability being the winner for the award.

The campaign used mother and teacher influencers to stimulate its exposure to the society.

‘Speaking for the Post Digital team, the Bangkok Post has been Thailand’s trusted companion for over 79 years-a cornerstone for building English proficiency. As AI and digital learning reshape how we grow, we’re evolving with the times,’ Sutthimas Roongwitoo, First Vice President of the Post Digital Media, said.

‘Through Bangkok Post Learning and our thoughtfully crafted flashcards, we’re here to remain your go-to English learning resource. We’re excited to collaborate with brands who share our vision-because together, we can keep this learning community thriving for generations to come.’

Thailand Influencer Awards 2025 by Tellscore, supported by its major partners, including Thai Life Insurance and ICONSIAM, aims to be the country’s leading platform honouring outstanding influencers, creators and innovative brand-agency campaigns.

The first-place winner in the Best Publisher, Broadcasting Influencer Campaign category was BrandThink x Glow Story.

Thailand’s new foreign affairs minister, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, said on Thursday that Thailand will be back on the “global radar” while he serves in office.

Speaking to the media at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok, Mr Sihasak outlined his plans to execute diplomacy during the current administration’s four-month tenure.

Mr Sihasak said that after a long absence, Thailand deserves to make a global comeback, adding that it is necessary to restore its international image by presenting itself as a dynamic country of economic significance.

“Foreign countries often refer to Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam when they talk about Southeast Asia,” he said. “Thailand is only known for having good food, good people, and tourist spots, but we need to portray our economic dimensions as well.”

Mr Sihasak’s schedule is busy over the coming months with international meetings planned, including those related to the Thailand-Cambodia conflict, the general election in Myanmar slated for December, the Asean Summit in Malaysia’s Putrajaya in November, and the Apec Summit in South Korea at the end of October.

“We need to head in directions where Thailand’s benefits could be taking place,” he said.

Mr Sihasak said his ministry will aim to improve communication efficiency in its diplomatic efforts. During the border conflict, Thailand’s communication was perceived as limited and slow compared to that of the Cambodian side, he said.

It is necessary to respond more quickly while creating understanding among the Thai public, he said.

Thailand’s unstable politics have also been a factor limiting the country’s presence on the world stage, Mr Sihasak added.

The National Security Council (NSC) has appointed Gen Somsak Rungsita, a former NSC secretary-general, as the new head of Thailand’s Peace Dialogue Panel for the southern border provinces.

The announcement was made on Thursday by current NSC Secretary-General Chatchai Bangchuad, following the council’s latest meeting.

He said the members also approved a draft policy framework for the administration and the development of the southern border provinces for 2025-2027, in line with statutory requirements.

The new policy emphasises inclusive participation from all sectors in the region and integrates both security and development strategies.

To ensure transparency and international recognition, it will be translated into five languages and distributed globally.

Mr Chatchai stressed that this demonstrates Thailand’s commitment to addressing long-standing challenges in the South through dialogue and sustainable development.

On the issue of leadership change, Mr Chatchai, himself a former head of the Peace Dialogue Panel, highlighted Gen Somsak’s extensive background in security affairs.

In his new role, Gen Somsak will be tasked with forming a team and establishing mechanisms to advance peace negotiations, with the goal of fostering trust and long-term stability in the region.

Previously, Mr Chatchai was appointed to lead the Peace Dialogue Panel during the administration of former prime minister Srettha Thavisin. However, his tenure ended when the Constitutional Court ordered Mr Srettha’s resignation in August last year, resulting in the government’s dissolution.

During the subsequent administration led by Paetongtarn Shinawatra, which lasted for about one year, no successor was appointed to the post. This left the position vacant despite repeated calls from stakeholders and local communities for stronger engagement in resolving the ongoing southern border conflict.

The Royal Thai Navy has ordered the immediate transfer of officers accused of involvement in oil theft and procurement irregularities at its logistics base in Trat province, pending a full investigation.

Spokesman Rear Adm Parach Rattanachaiphan said the First Naval Area commander has ordered a probe into the allegations and temporarily transferred the accused officers to its headquarters to prevent interference.

On the claim that conscripts were deployed for private work, Rear Adm Parach said the navy has already investigated such abuse of conscripts, found grounds for the allegations and taken action against those responsible.

The navy’s clarifications are in response to People’s Party MP Chetawan Tuaprakhon, who said the House committee on military affairs received three complaints about misconduct and irregularities in the navy.

The first involved the use of conscripts for work at private ferry piers in Trat’s Laem Ngop and Koh Chang, while the other two involved the alleged smuggling of fuel out of the base and irregularities in procurement contracts for logistics operations in Trat.

Mr Chetawan said fuel logs indicated repeated withdrawals of 1,000 litres for “backhoes,” raising suspicions of fraud, while photos showed pickup trucks leaving the base with large fuel tanks.

Regarding irregularities in procurement contracts, 16% was deducted from the contracts, raising questions about whether receipts were issued without the actual delivery of goods, according to the MP.

The North and Northeast of Thailand, currently affected by flooding, are expected to experience more rain brought by Storm Matmo as it intensifies into a typhoon and reaches Vietnam by Monday.

The Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) reported on Saturday morning that the typhoon is expected to move through China’s southernmost Hainan Island, then into the Gulf of Tonkin. It is forecasted to reach the upper Vietnam coast on Sunday and Monday.

The typhoon will gradually weaken as a cold wind from China covers the area, TMD director-general Sukanyanee Yawinchan said.

Although Matmo will not enter Thailand, it will strengthen the southwest monsoon affecting the country, the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, causing heavy rain in the North and Northeast from Sunday to Tuesday.

Flash floods, forest runoff and overflowing riverbanks may occur in these regions, Ms Sukanyanee added.

According to a report from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation on Saturday morning, flooding caused by the recent tropical storm Bualoi remained in 17 provinces across the North, Central Plains, Northeast, East and South, affecting 100,235 households and 341,356 people, with 12 fatalities.

China to cancel some flights as Matmo nears Hainan

Meanwhile, Chinese authorities will cancel flights in Hainan on Saturday night before Typhoon Matmo hits the southern province, likely disrupting a peak holiday travel period for the resort island.

All flights to and from the provincial capital Haikou’s international airport are expected to be cancelled from 11pm (1500 GMT), the official Xinhua news agency reported, as Matmo could bring strong winds and heavy rain to southern China, including Guangdong and Yunnan provinces.

Matmo, which caused flooding in the Philippines this week, is expected to make landfall on Sunday.

Haikou plans to halt all schools, work and transport from Saturday afternoon to Sunday, Xinhua said.

During China’s eight-day National Day holiday, which began on Wednesday, people are expected to make some 2.36 billion passenger trips, with daily average trips forecast to be up 3.2% from the same period last year, Xinhua said on Wednesday.

Haikou had planned nearly 150 cultural events and more than 10 sports competitions during the holiday period, while the resort city Sanya had planned 170 art and tourism activities, according to Hainan’s official social media.

State media China Central Television (CCTV), citing meteorological experts, asked the public to stay vigilant as Matmo will have a serious impact on tourism and transportation, while the number of travellers is up significantly.

The Hong Kong Observatory said it would raise the tropical cyclone warning signal to Strong Wind Signal No. 3 at 12.20pm (0420 GMT) and assess the need for higher signals later on Saturday.

The financial hub has issued 12 tropical cyclone warning signals this year, the most since 1946, the observatory said on Friday.

Affinity’s professional graphic design applications are now available for permanent free download on the Apple App Store for iPad.

The suite includes Affinity Photo, Affinity Publisher and Affinity Designer, giving users a chance to access the tools without any subscription fees.

The announcement follows Serif’s sale of Affinity to Canva in 2024. At that time, users were only offered a seven-day trial across iPad, personal computers (PCs) and Mac.

The new development suggests that iPad users can now keep the apps for free, although some speculate it may be the result of a technical error rather than a planned policy.

To secure a permanent licence, users must first download the app free from the App Store and activate the seven-day trial.

Returning to the Affinity Photo page on the App Store will show a licence option labelled ‘Affinity Photo 2 for iPad licence.’

Downloading it again registers the app for permanent use. Affinity has long been marketed as a one-time purchase alternative to Adobe’s subscription-based services such as Photoshop, Illustrator and Premiere. On iPad, the interface and workflow are like Adobe’s apps, but Affinity traditionally charges a single fee (USD$18.49), while Adobe requires monthly payments (USD$9.99 – 22.99/month).

The government is moving ahead with its ‘Five Pillars of the Economy’ initiative, combining short-term economic stimulus with long-term structural reforms aimed at improving competitiveness, according to Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas.

The strategy focuses on empowering small and medium enterprises (SMEs), grassroots communities and the middle class, while laying the foundation for a transition to a green and digital economy, he said on Saturday at Sustainability Expo 2025 in Bangkok.

Speaking at the Thailand Supply Chain Network Business Partner Conference 2025, which focused on macroeconomic adaptation in a changing global context, Mr Ekniti stressed the importance of national adaptability.

‘The global landscape is undergoing significant transformation, particularly in trade and investment. Thailand’s economic growth has long relied on global supply chains,’ he said.

However, he noted that the global paradigm has shifted dramatically.

‘We are no longer in a purely globalised world, but in a fragmented one – one of ‘localisation’ and geopolitical bipolarity,’ he said.

‘The global free trade order has given way to one where nations are increasingly pressured to choose economic alliances. Those outside a given bloc may face trade restrictions or be excluded altogether.’

He went on to explain that low-cost goods are no longer guaranteed access to international markets due to rising protectionist measures, including tariffs and regulatory scrutiny.

‘The world used to champion tariff reductions to promote free trade, but now we’re seeing a resurgence of trade barriers. Certain goods are subject to stricter inspections,’ he said, adding that free trade is no longer as open or universal as before; the world has entered an era of economic bloc alignment.

He acknowledged that Thailand’s economy is facing a downturn, and immediate action is necessary to revive growth and ensure sustainability.

‘We need to grow the economy first, but sustainably. We must also tackle inequality. That’s why the economic team has adopted a unified framework for communication and policy.’

Mr Ekniti, also a deputy prime minister, elaborated on the ‘Five Pillars’ framework, highlighting how each pillar is designed to address immediate economic pressures while laying the foundation for long-term structural resilience.

As for economic stimulus, he said that with exports surging earlier this year in anticipation of tariff hikes under the Trump administration, the focus now shifts to domestic demand, particularly through government spending.

Low-income groups will benefit through state welfare cards, ensuring that support reaches the grassroots level and stimulates broad-based consumption.

For the middle class, the co-payment scheme (Khon La Khrueng) is being used to subsidise cost-of-living expenses, enhancing disposable income and supporting consumption.

The government also aims to revitalise tourism, with a strategic emphasis on second-tier cities. Tax incentives will be introduced to encourage tourism-related activity in these areas.

As for support for SMEs, this pillar focuses on improving liquidity for small businesses, which form the backbone of the Thai economy.

The government is developing supply chain financing schemes to inject working capital into SMEs via upstream corporate partners. A new tax break policy is under review, potentially offering 1.5- to 2-times tax deductions to large firms that assist smaller partners in the supply chain.

The last pillar involves future-oriented investment seeking to drive investment in strategic future sectors, particularly focusing on reskilling the workforce for modern industries, promoting the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) economy model and supporting modern agriculture and removing regulatory barriers in the electricity sector to prioritise clean energy.

An abusive teacher is facing legal action after the parents of a seven-year-old boy rebuffed his apology for assaulting their son and a request to settle the matter quietly.

The 23-year-old teacher has been accused of violently striking the first-grader with a metal ruler and slapping him multiple times for eating the teacher’s marshmallow snack. The incident left the child’s face badly bruised, sparking outrage among local residents and community leaders.

The teacher and his mother earlier visited the family’s home to apologise and offer compensation – only to flee when confronted by reporters.

According to community leaders, the case came to light after a local headman and village chief visited the child’s home in tambon Na Sak of Mae Moh district. They said they found the boy with visible bruises on his face and neck. Upon questioning, the boy admitted he had eaten the teacher’s snack because he had no money to buy his own.

The victim’s mother, identified only as Da, said she refused to accept the teacher’s apology. ‘They came unannounced with a gift basket to ask forgiveness, but I told them it’s too late,’ she said.

Da said the teacher’s mother begged her to settle the matter privately and offered financial compensation, claiming her son was mentally ill.

Da recalled that on the day of the assault, she had no money to give her son for snacks.

‘He told me later that he had eaten some of the teacher’s marshmallows without asking. When I got home, I found him sitting quietly in front of the house with bruises all over his face and neck,’ she said tearfully.

‘He told me he doesn’t want to go back to school because he’s scared of being beaten again. I want this teacher transferred immediately.’

Village headman Narongdej Wong-ai and tambon chief Rat Umhong said they were alerted by a local official who was checking on why the boy was not at school. Initially, they suspected domestic abuse, but after questioning, learned the injuries were caused by the teacher.

The boy was later taken for a medical examination, which confirmed the bruises were consistent with blunt-force trauma from a hard object.

Following the discovery, the teacher reportedly called the local chief to apologise and pleaded for leniency. However, community leaders refused, saying the assault was too severe and other children could be in danger.

Other teachers at the school said the accused had a history of isolating himself and previously punished students by locking them in a room.

The village headman added that when the boy’s mother first tried to file a police report, officers refused, suggesting they feared the child might be labelled a thief.

After intervention from the village and tambon chiefs – both of whom also serve on the school’s board – the police finally accepted the complaint.

Local leaders and the boy’s family have vowed to pursue the case until justice is served. They are demanding that education authorities remove the teacher from the school and that legal action be taken against him for physically assaulting a minor.

The industry minister has pledged to implement “quick-win” projects to support Thailand’s industrial sector and economy, prioritising industrial restructuring.

Many industries face declining productivity and shrinking market share, which indicates a potential loss of international competitiveness, said Industry Minister Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana.

“Thai industry is impacted by the trade war, which has altered the global trade landscape. Entrepreneurs in the supply chain must adapt or restructure industry models to align with the global changes,” he said.

Mr Thanakorn said the government will continue to promote industries such as electric vehicles, artificial intelligence, green energy and semiconductors, which are expected to contribute to the economy and attract investment.

“We will encourage industries and companies that have applied for investment promotion from the Board of Investment, but have not yet proceeded with their investments,” he said.

In addition, the ministry plans to implement more measures to combat the dumping of cheap imports and to safeguard Thai industrial products, along with strategies to mitigate the effects of US tariffs.

Mr Thanakorn said imports of cheaper Chinese products are expected to rise, affecting Thai businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

“The ministry has discussed with the Federation of Thai Industries about measures to help SMEs and protect Thai industries and manufacturers,” he said.

Moreover, the ministry expects to work on improving SMEs’ access to financial support, said Mr Thanakorn.

Regarding the continuation of the “Sudsoi” initiative established by former industry minister Akanat Promphan, Mr Thanakorn said it supports the industry in the long term and helps reduce illegal factories.

The ministry is committed to sustainable industrial development by promoting high-quality investments, upgrading the manufacturing base and enforcing stricter regulations to tackle environmental issues, he said.

Nattapol Rangsitpol, industry permanent secretary, said the industrial sector has slowed over the past decade, though the government has promoted new-generation sectors as part of its S-curve scheme.

“Civil servants are ready to collaborate with the minister,” he said.

Mr Nattapol said the major sectors driving the economy and industrial GDP comprise the automotive, electronics and electrical industries, as well as food and food processing, which combined account for roughly 50% of Thailand’s industrial output.

The Royal Thai Armed Forces (RTAF) have begun preparing to build the country’s first temporary border fence along the Thai-Cambodian border to curb illegal cross-border activities.

This follows the National Security Council’s approval on Thursday for the construction of the fence.

Maj Gen Vithai Laithomya, an armed forces spokesman, said on Friday that the Development Command, through its Mobile Development Unit 12, is working with the 12th Ranger Regiment to erect the fence near Boundary Marker 50-51 at Ban Khok Sabang in Aranyaprathet district of Sa Kaeo.

“The initial stretch will cover 5.1 kilometres and cost 6.5 million baht, funded from the 2025 fiscal year budget,” Maj Gen Vithai said.

“Work on improving access roads has already shortened travel time from an hour to about 30 minutes, making construction easier,” he said.

The fence, expected to be completed in one to two months, will be a reinforced structure of concrete poles strung with two layers of nine-strand barbed wire, standing over two metres tall, he said.

The design of the fence is intended as a “see-through” barrier rather than a traditional territorial demarcation.

Closed-circuit cameras will also be installed along the Prom Hod canal, a known hotspot for cross-border gambling and scam syndicates.

Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, meanwhile, addressed the pending Oct 10 deadline for Cambodian residents to leave Ban Nong Chan in Khok Sung district of Sa Kaeo.

Cambodian media have reported that some villagers refuse to vacate, claiming the land as theirs.

“Thai law will be enforced,” Mr Anutin said while stressing that non-Thai nationals cannot remain illegally in the country.

He also stated that, although multiple laws may apply, enforcement would be carried out with caution and through dialogue.

“This is not about forced expulsions,” he said. “We will use lawful measures while seeking to avoid unnecessary hardship.”

In a further development, Mr Anutin, accompanied by key ministers from the defence, commerce, and digital economy portfolios, visited Surin province on Friday to assess the border security situation and oversee support for local residents. He instructed officials to ensure adequate food, shelter, and assistance for evacuees while tasking the military with maintaining security.