Category: The Bangkok Post

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.

The Bank of Thailand plans to introduce new business licences for white-label automated teller machines (ATMs) next year.

The licences are available to both banks and non-bank operators, with the goal of expanding financial inclusion nationwide.

According to the central bank’s Payment Directional Paper under the Financial Landscape 2025, the regulator is seeking approval from the Finance Ministry to issue these licences.

The central bank expects to submit the proposal to the ministry in early 2026, with implementation anticipated by late next year, said Daranee Saeju, assistant governor for the payment systems policy and financial consumer protection group.

Applications for the new licences are open to a broad range of operators, including banks, non-banks, fintech companies and ATM vendors.

The initiative is intended to enhance financial inclusion, particularly in remote areas, by providing broader access to affordable financial services.

“For basic financial services, fees charged for transactions on white-label ATMs must not exceed current rates. However, higher fees may be permitted for innovative financial services where appropriate, based on cost structures,” said Ms Daranee.

She said while bank branches and ATMs have been steadily declining in line with growing digital banking adoption, certain consumer segments still rely on traditional services. However, the central bank expects cash usage to continue to recede, said Ms Daranee.

Central bank data indicates cash transactions are projected to drop to 10-20% of total banking transactions in 3-5 years, down from 31% at present.

PromptPay, the national digital payment platform, has propelled Thailand’s shift towards a cashless economy. Average digital payment transactions per user rose to 651 in 2024, up from 538 in 2023 and 425 in 2022.

Ms Daranee said the central bank also wants to encourage small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to adopt digital payments through the PromptBiz platform.

However, she said the regulator is cautious about aggressively pushing digital payment adoption in certain groups, such as seniors, to protect them from financial fraud.

Chaiyarit Anuchitworawong, senior executive vice-president at Bangkok Bank (BBL), said the bank is considering the new ATM licensing scheme and may participate in installations where it does not have a presence.

BBL, the country’s largest lender by total assets, has continued to scale down its brick-and-mortar branches and ATMs in the post-pandemic period.

Over the past three years, the bank has closed around 300 branches nationwide, averaging about 100 closures per year, as digital transactions continue to increase.

The reopening of Samsen Road has been postponed indefinitely after authorities concluded that the police station next to the sinkhole that formed on Sept 24 must be demolished and rebuilt, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said on Saturday.

He made the comment following a meeting with a technical task force at the site to reassess the situation. Members included representatives from the police, Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA), Department of Public Works and Town and Country Planning, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and the construction contractor.

Over the past week, about 3,000 cubic metres of sand have been poured, and additional foundation piles installed. However, more cracks and soil slippage were detected, particularly around the third structural pillar of the Samsen police station, which has sustained further damage, said Mr Chadchart.

Technical experts warned that failure to proceed with demolition could pose risks of collapse during restoration work.

The MRTA and the contractor will bear the full cost of the demolition, estimated at over 40 million baht, the governor said.

He outlined six immediate directives:

Remove about 30 vehicles from the station and begin dismantling the rear wall.

Start demolition with the most at-risk right wing to reduce structural load.

Reinforce the Samsen side adjacent to the Vajira intersection to prevent further soil slippage.

Strengthen the underground rail tunnel below the site.

Monitor the structural integrity of the nearby police flats.

Monitor the stability of Vajira Hospital’s buildings.

The governor said work could begin immediately. While no completion date has been set, authorities stressed that safety would remain the top priority.

The planned reopening of Samsen Road has been delayed indefinitely, though traffic impact is currently limited due to school closures. (Story continues below)

Further weakening

The decision to demolish came after subsidence from the initial sinkhole damaged the fifth foundation column of the police station – a key load-bearing support – with soil displacement further weakening the third column.

Attempts to reinforce the foundation failed, as piles could only be driven 7-8 metres instead of the planned 23 metres. The building continues to sink and tilt, with more cracks and soil slides appearing.

Officials stressed that the damage was not caused by machinery filling sand beneath the station but by ground instability.

The demolition will proceed in stages, with debris transported off-site. No materials will be stored on the premises to ensure safety.

Vajira Hospital has shown no movement since the incident took place. Nevertheless, the BMA said monitoring of adjacent structures and underground tunnels would continue.

Despite heavy rain, officials said the operation has not been hindered, as sufficient water pumps have been installed to handle flooding.

MRTA deputy governor Kittikon Tanpao said the exact cause of the subsidence has yet to be determined, as the focus has been on restoring road conditions and securing nearby buildings to prevent further damage.

PM visits site

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who visited the site on Friday night, said the severe structural damage to the police station posed a safety risk.

‘The piles are broken. Just by looking at it, I saw that it’s dangerous. Samsen police will need a new workplace,’ he said on Saturday morning. ‘The structure has begun to detach from its core. We cannot allow anyone to continue working inside.’

National police chief Kittharath Punpetch said there is currently no indication that the police flats need to be torn down or rebuilt. ‘At this stage, the urgent priority is the Samsen police station building,’ he said.

The BMA had earlier set Oct 9 as the reopening date for Samsen Road but that plan has now been abandoned.

The sinkhole was 30 metres wide, 30 metres long and 20 metres deep when it formed suddenly on the morning of Sept 24. The MRTA initially blamed it on soil sliding into a tunnel and underground station of its Purple Line extension route.

The contractor for the section in question is the CKST joint venture, made up of SET-listed Ch. Karnchang Plc and Stecon Group Plc. The family of Prime Minister Anutin is the largest shareholder in the latter.

People’s Party MP for Bangkok, Rakchanok Srinok, has accused the Social Security Office (SSO) of allowing unauthorised individuals to attend sensitive investment meetings concerning the Social Security Fund (SSF).

In a Facebook post yesterday, Ms Rakchanok said two individuals joined SSO investment sessions as supposed representatives of Mercer, an international consultancy firm hired under a 15-million-baht contract. One, a Thai national, attended in person, while the other joined by video conference from overseas.

She said it later emerged that the overseas participant was Mercer’s sole official representative, but he remained silent during discussions as he could not understand Thai. The in-person attendee, meanwhile, was found to be a subcontractor, despite Mercer’s contract banning subcontracting.

Ms Rakchanok called the matter troubling, noting that both individuals continued to sit in on investment and risk management meetings, including one on Aug 26 where decisions worth more than 400 billion baht were discussed. This came despite Mercer’s contract with the SSO expiring in August 2024.

She questioned whether Mercer’s representatives had the required licences from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), stressing the impact of the SSF.

“The Social Security Fund is worth 2.7 trillion baht. Every decision affects market prices. If someone knew which stocks the SSF planned to buy or sell, they could profit enormously. This is why participation must be tightly regulated. How could the SSO allow unauthorised individuals to sit in on such critical discussions?” she asked.

At 11 years old, Warin* a 5th-grader from Bangkok, weighs 74kg and stands 153cm tall. Like many children struggling with obesity, her daily life is marked by fatigue, joint pain and the constant sense of being different from her peers.

“I don’t like being bigger than other kids,” Warin said. “Friends tease me often, saying I’m too big. It makes me feel uncomfortable. and I get tired easily when I have to run or play with them.”

Warin’s struggle with weight began early. By age six, she had developed a strong craving for snacks like chips and fried chicken, while rarely touching vegetables. At school, even though the cafeteria serves balanced lunches, she often feels hungry after and drifts towards shops selling sweets, pancakes, cakes and fried snacks.

“Every day, after lunch, I go and buy snacks. There are so many shops inside the school selling all kinds of food like pancakes, cakes, fried chicken, French fries and fish balls,” she said.

At home, the pattern continues. She eats dinner with her family, but snacks soon follow. Her mother described her as having a “screen-snacking habit”, often eating more than three packs of crisps while playing games for hours at night. Lately, the family has stopped buying crisps and stocked the fridge with fruit, hoping to help Warin break the habit.

“The hardest thing is the environment,” her mother said. “We can try to control what’s in the house but once she’s at school or outside, it’s impossible to watch her all the time. Asking a child to resist that temptation alone is very difficult.”

Her parents are concerned about her health. Warin snores at night, which can affect the flow of oxygen to her brain and she often tires easily. Last year, she attended a short camp for overweight children where she learned to read food labels and follow a 2:1:1 eating model of vegetables, rice and protein. Unfortunately, the lessons quickly faded after she returned home. The family has consulted a doctor about her weight and plans to follow up again.

Warin’s story is far from unique. Childhood obesity is one of the fastest-growing health crises in Thailand and around the world. According to Unicef’s new report Feeding Profit: How Environment Is Failing Children, there are now more obese children than underweight children worldwide for the first time. Some 188 million school-age children and adolescents can be classed as obese.

In Thailand, the number of overweight and obese children has doubled in the past 25 years, placing the country among the top four in Asean. According to the National Statistical Office in 2021, 43% of Thai adolescents consumed fast food at least four times a week. The World Obesity Federation warns that if this trend continues, more than 60% of Thai children could be obese by 2035.

The consequences can be devastating. Overweight children are more likely to develop diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease. Many struggle with joint and bone problems, poor sleep and psychological challenges such as stress, bullying and low self-esteem. The economic impact is also alarming: obesity is estimated to cost Thailand around US$8 billion (259.4 billion baht) annually, a figure projected to rise to $21 billion by 2030.

Experts say the issue goes beyond individual choices. Over the past 15 years, convenience stores and hypermarkets have grown rapidly, processed food sales have risen 70% per person and online fast-food delivery has surged more than 650% since 2013. These shifts in the food environment make it increasingly difficult for children to make healthy choices.

“Children often don’t choose what they eat, food environments choose for them,” said Sirirath Chunnasart, Unicef Thailand’s Adolescent Development Specialist. “If we want healthier generations, we need to change the environment around them, not just tell them to eat better.”

Some schools, however, are taking the issue seriously. Bangkok Christian College, one of Thailand’s oldest private schools, has introduced a range of policies to promote healthier eating over the past several years. Sodas are banned and all beverages sold at the school must contain no more than 10% sugar. Sugar has also been removed from condiments in the cafeteria. Nutritionists help design balanced menus and parents are involved in the food selection process.

Colourful posters in the cafeteria remind students to “eat less sweet, oily and salty foods and add more fruits and vegetables”, while staircases are marked with calorie counts to encourage physical activity.

“What we have observed is that overweight children often struggle with concentration in class and experience physical fatigue,” said Waraporn Subsomboon, the school’s principal. “But after making changes, we’ve seen improvements. Students are more focused in their studies, their weight has gone down, they’ve learned to make healthier food choices and understand what is good for them and what they should avoid. Socially, they have also become more confident.”

The Ministry of Public Health recently recognised Bangkok Christian College as a Model School For Good Nutrition Practice 2025, highlighting its efforts to promote healthier eating habits among students and setting an example for other schools nationwide.

At the national level, Thailand has introduced a sugar tax on sweetened beverages, which has already reduced sugar levels in drinks by around 10%. The Ministry of Public Health is also advancing legislation to regulate the marketing of unhealthy foods and drinks to children, in line with the World Health Organization’s recommendations.

Currently, Unicef Thailand is supporting the Bureau of Nutrition and other stakeholders such as the NCD Alliance in advocating for the enactment of the Draft Act On The Marketing Of Food And Beverages Affecting Children’s Health, while also engaging young people and parents through the Kin Rai Dee (What’s Good To Eat) campaign. The campaign promotes simple daily habits like reading nutrition labels, choosing balanced meals and reducing junk food consumption, targeting Gen Z and parents of young children to make healthier food choices.

For Warin, she hopes to run alongside her friends without feeling out of breath and has recently shown an interest in boxing as a way to get active again. It may be a small step, but with the right support, it could be the start of a journey towards a healthier life.

“I want to learn boxing, give it a try, and see how it goes,” Warin added. “It feels like a good way to use my energy.”

To experts like Sirirath, childhood obesity is not just a health issue, it is about children’s right to grow, learn and thrive.

“The scale of the problem requires serious commitment and collaboration between government bodies, schools, businesses, families and children themselves. That’s the only way we will create healthier food environments and ensure that nutritious choices are affordable and accessible,” Sirirath said. “If the law passes, children like Warin will have a real chance to succeed, not only in managing their health, but in reaching their full potential.”

*not her real name.