Category: The Bangkok Post

Deputy national police chief, Pol Gen Kornchai Klaiklueng, said the Royal Thai Police will not demolish the new Samsen Police Station, which now lies precariously on the edge of a massive sinkhole which opened up in Dusit district last week.

Pol Gen Kornchai said a team of engineers has inspected the building and determined that demolition won’t be necessary if the damaged foundation pillars are adequately reinforced.

Although the team concluded that the building is in no immediate danger of collapsing, it will remain closed to ensure the safety of both officers and members of the public.

“I will be the first one to enter the building once it is reopened,” assured Pol Gen Kornchai.

He promised the RTP will not use public funds to rebuild the building if authorities decide to demolish the station in the future, out of safety concerns..

He said that RTP has offered the station’s officers temporary residence in three locations: Khlong San, Vibhavadi, and Dusit. Pol Gen Kornchai said the RTP is aware of concerns about the commute, saying the station’s chief and Metropolitan Police Region 1 have been ordered to address the problem.

Deputy Prime Minister Bowornsak Uwanno on Monday explained the constitutional amendment process, confirming that the next general election will involve four separate ballots: two for polls and another two for referendums.

The four ballots are: one for electing constituency MPs, another for party-list MPs, a third for a referendum on constitutional amendments, and a fourth for a referendum on whether to revoke the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Cambodia.

Speaking to a House session, Mr Bowornsak said the government’s policy clearly supports holding a referendum to amend the constitution, emphasising the importance of listening to the public and encouraging participation from all sectors.

This approach aligns with the Constitutional Court’s ruling and aims to uphold the democratic system with the King as head of state.

Mr Bowornsak explained that drafting the new constitution is the first step in the process. The second step involves a referendum to approve or reject the draft constitution, which will be the first question posed to voters.

The new draft constitution will introduce an additional Chapter 15/1 of necessary legislative details.

Among these updated and new provisions are a new stipulation regarding the formation of a 99-member constitution drafting assembly (CDA), whose members would be selected exclusively by parliament, to produce the document.

In the initial stage, parliament will determine how to involve the public in drafting the new constitution, in a manner that does not contradict the Constitutional Court’s ruling that prohibits a direct election of the CDA by the public.

Should parliament approve this, the second step will be to draft the new constitution by the CDA or other authorised persons as stipulated in Chapter 15/1, following the referendum, Mr Bowornsak said.

Mr Bowornsak said that two major political parties have already confirmed that they will not amend Chapters 1 and 2 of the constitution.

He explained that any changes to these chapters in the new constitution would immediately raise issues that could potentially contradict the current constitution.

Chapter 1 contains sections that define Thailand as a single, indivisible kingdom with a democratic regime and establish the King as the head of state.

Chapter 2, meanwhile, outlines royal prerogatives.

Police are investigating online reports of a foreign couple seen having sex at night in the sea at Jomtien beach, in the Pattaya area.

On Saturday a post was shared on social media showing a still image taken from a video depicting a foreign couple engaged in sexual activity in the sea just off the beach.

The post included a caption describing their activity in explicit terms and noting that it happened in front of onlookers and tourists on Jomtien beach.

The post drew numerous comments from netizens.

On Sunday, police said they had not yet confirmed the activity happened at the reported location.

The video provided only a single camera angle, and they were still attempting to verify the date, time and precise location.

The opposition Pheu Thai Party criticised the current administration as a “transitional government” designed to help Bhumjaithai secure power on the first day of the policy statement debate on Monday.

Pheu Thai MP for Nan, Cholnan Srikaew, expressed doubts that the Bhumjaithai-led government could deliver its policies before the upcoming election, because many cabinet ministers lacked capabilities.

The former Pheu Thai leader claimed that they are more likely to spend the next four months in office trying to secure their grip on power.

Dr Cholnan blasted the appointment of these ministers as “window dressing” saying they were mainly tasked with boosting the party’s popularity, in an effort to influence the outcome of the election that is scheduled to take place sometime in March next year.

He also warned of possible attempts to sabotage the Election Commission’s (EC) investigation into the alleged vote fixing in the Senate election, which targets many individuals with connections with the Bhumjaithai Party.

The Pheu Thai MP also predicted that the next polls would be driven by the “power of money”, undermining the nation’s parliamentary democracy system.

He also called the People’s Party (PP) decision to trade its mandate to form a government for charter amendments and an early House dissolution “a waste” as he claimed Bhumjaithai would not honour the agreement.

“The proposal to amend Section 256 of the charter [which would pave the way for the establishment of the charter drafting assembly (CDA)] won’t pass the first reading or the final reading.

“Even if a new charter gets written, the process will be entirely steered by the ‘blue-affiliated’ constitutional drafters. All mechanisms are in place for this,” he said, referring to the colour of the Bhumjaithai Party.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul defended the government, saying the government’s policies are achievable because he knows how to execute them.

He insisted that all cabinet members have both the expertise and experience in national administration before promising to ensure transparency and accountability.

“This government will lay the foundation for good governance and bright democracy. At least no one can pull strings behind this prime minister, and decisions will be made in consultation with cabinet members and members of parliament to protect public interests,” Mr Anutin said.

Responding to claims that the government’s policies do not correspond to people’s demands, he said his administration had different opinions about the casino-entertainment complex and digital wallet schemes.

The Bhumjathai Party’s exit from the Pheu Thai-led government was in part due to differences in opinions on these issues, he added.

Siam Paragon, one of the world’s most visited global landmarks, will unveil three world-class attractions later this year.

With an investment of over 1.25 billion baht and a marketing budget of 200 million baht, this bold initiative underscores Siam Paragon’s commitment to delivering unparalleled experiences to more than 100 million visitors annually, while further enhancing Bangkok’s stature as a premier destination for global visitors.

Siam Paragon’s defining strength has always been its ability to offer powerful attractions found nowhere else. A prime example is Sea Life Bangkok, which is among the largest aquariums in Southeast Asia, spanning 10,500 square metres and drawing more than 2.5 million visitors annually.

Building on this success, Siam Paragon is introducing two new world-class attractions spread across more than 20,000 sq m: MELAND, Thailand’s first world-leading indoor theme park occupying 5,000 sq m, and NEXTOPIA, a 15,000-square-metre prototype for the ‘world of tomorrow’ — a revolutionary concept set to be remembered as the world’s first of its kind.

With these additions, Siam Paragon will bring together 30,500 sq m of distinctive attractions, making it Thailand’s most comprehensive entertainment destination and delivering extraordinary experiences to an exceptionally wide range of visitors.

In addition, the final magnet reinforcing Siam Paragon’s standing as the No.1 destination for both Thai and global visitors is Siam Paragon Dining Phenomenal.

This enhanced dining hub features over 700 restaurants, cafés, dessert bars and kiosks from around the world and across Thailand, including chef’s table experiences, Michelin-starred establishments and first-in-Thailand debuts.

It will also introduce a new “EATELIER Dining Entertainment” zone, together forming a key part of Siam Paragon’s grand transformation as it celebrates its 20th anniversary.

NEXTOPIA: Get set for tomorrow’s world

Siam Paragon is set to create an unprecedented global phenomenon with the launch of NEXTOPIA, a prototype for the ‘world of tomorrow’, spanning more than 15,000 sq m with an investment of 850 million baht.

Developed through the co-creation of 50 innovation partners and 30 Friends of NEXTOPIA communities, this groundbreaking project invites a collective effort from all sectors to build a better world together, inspiring every step of life with meaning, joy, entertainment and a commitment to quality and sustainable living.

MELAND: A boundless world of discovery

Get ready for MELAND, the global landmark flagship in Bangkok, opening on the 5th floor of Siam Paragon. This spectacular wonderland spans more than 5,000 sq m with an investment of 400 million baht, bringing families into a boundless world of imagination, play and discovery.

With over 100 attractions and more than 500 immersive experiences, MELAND is set to become Southeast Asia’s No.1 edutainment destination.

Dining Phenomenal: Capturing culinary delights

Siam Paragon reaffirms its status as Asia’s largest and most complete world-class food destination, bringing together more than 700 restaurants across every floor from G to the top level.

Starting with the newly renovated Paragon Food Court and Food Hall, visitors can explore over 100 celebrated street food eateries that capture the vibrant flavours of Bangkok.

From there, the Siam Paragon Dining Phenomenal journey unfolds with legendary and iconic Thai restaurants, world-renowned chefs, and first-in-Thailand international debuts.

The experience continues with organic and health-focused concepts, complemented by a lively mix of cafés, dessert bars and beverage outlets designed to delight every generation.

The journey continues into the night with the launch of “EATELIER Dining Entertainment,” a brand-new zone featuring 30 exciting new restaurants where art is woven into every dining experience.

Here, guests can create content in a one-of-a-kind atmosphere that transforms evenings into Bangkok’s newest hangout and chillout hotspot.

Live bands and DJs add to the energy, turning dining into an immersive lifestyle experience that is as inspiring by day as it is unforgettable by night.

The launch of three new world-class attractions in the final quarter of this year marks a transformative milestone in Siam Paragon’s 20th anniversary.

Since opening, Siam Paragon has received nine global awards recognising its status as a world-leading destination, and it now stands ready to once again redefine industry standards.

This landmark transformation will reinforce Siam Paragon as a magnet for Thailand’s tourism industry and reaffirm its role as a global landmark destination — a visionary leader delivering extraordinary and complete experiences.

In doing so, Siam Paragon strengthens Thailand’s position as a premier global destination, delivering world-class experiences across every dimension and showcasing the nation’s pride on the global stage.

An 84-year-old woman has been left seriously injured after being assaulted and subjected to an attempted rape inside her home.

Rescue volunteers from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation received a call from local residents around 3pm on Monday, reporting that the woman had been attacked in her single-storey wooden house beside a canal in Moo 3 of Bang Chalong sub-district in Bang Phli district.

Upon arrival, they found the victim lying on her bed with multiple injuries. She had a broken right little finger, a head wound, severe bruising on her chest, a deep laceration on her left wrist, and another wound behind her ear. First aid was administered before she was taken to a nearby hospital.

The victim told authorities she was alone when an unknown man entered her home late at night, violently beat her and attempted to rape her.

Speaking in broken Thai with what she described as a Khmer accent, the assailant assaulted her until she was badly injured. He remained in the house until around midnight, repeatedly attempting to rape her, before eventually leaving.

Initially, rescuers were informed that the victim had suffered a fall. However, after they spoke with the woman directly, it became clear she had been attacked. Her injuries, including the fractured finger and deep wounds, were consistent with a violent assault.

Neighbours said the woman usually lived with her son, who was away at work during the attack. They added that she normally kept her doors locked and rarely encountered strangers in the area, though migrant workers were often seen passing through in the mornings and evenings. Shocked by the incident, they said they never imagined anyone could inflict such violence on her.

The victim, who was previously in good health, reportedly lost consciousness during the ordeal and only regained awareness later that afternoon, when she managed to open her door and call for help.

Police in Bang Phli on Tuesday arrested a 53-year-old suspect, and said he was a Thai and not a migrant worker as initially speculated and reported on social media, according to a Samut Prakan-based reporter writing on the ????? ?????? Facebook page.

Investigators have detained the suspect, identified only as Jo, after CCTV video and scratch marks found on his body raised strong suspicions. Under intensive questioning, he confessed to the crime.

Police said Mr Jo admitted to scaling the side of the elderly woman’s home after drinking strong liquor and becoming drunk. He told officers that he covered her mouth with his right hand and molested her, before striking her twice when she resisted. He claimed he did not inflict further physical harm.

He further confessed to attempting rape, but said he was unable to complete the act. According to his testimony, he fled the scene after the victim began chanting prayers, which caused him to feel remorse.

Investigators have charged Mr Jo with assault and indecent acts, while additional charges of night-time trespassing and rape are pending the results of medical examinations and further evidence.

Police have opposed bail and will seek to remand the suspect into custody when he is brought to the Samut Prakan Provincial Court on Thursday.

Ahead of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City, Sept 23-29, newly instated Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow faced criticism that his appearance there might violate the constitution, which stipulates that cabinet ministers can only assume their duties after the government policy statement is made before parliament.

But as Mr Sihasak took to the rostrum at the UN headquarters in front of international delegates, his welcome speech reflected his years as a Thai diplomat.

“Thailand made the humanitarian decision to open up our borders in the late 1970s for hundreds of thousands of Cambodians fleeing the civil war in their country to seek shelter in Thailand,” Mr Sihasak said.

“We made this decision out of compassion and humanitarian principles. As a young diplomat, I witnessed that scene myself.”

Mr Sihasak’s career began in 1979 in the Division of Public and Cultural Affairs, the ministry’s Department of Information.

He has served in many key positions, including ambassadorships to France and Japan, and he was a Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations in Geneva.

He also served as President of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) from 2010 to 2011.

Mr Sihasak was born in 1957 and graduated from Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Political Science before earning a Master of Arts in International Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University.

As a seasoned diplomat, Mr Sihasak delivered his speech at the UN with firmness and in a timely fashion.

He noted that he had met his Cambodian counterpart Sokhonn Prak the day before he made his speech, and he said the conversation they had was different from the speech that the Cambodian official later delivered to the UN.

“Yesterday … we talked about peace, dialogue, mutual trust and confidence … but unfortunately, what was said today by the Cambodian side was completely opposite,” said Mr Sihasak.

He mentioned the “real victims” of the Thai-Cambodian conflict — Thai soldiers who have lost their legs from landmines, children whose schools were shelled, and innocent civilians shopping that day at the convenience store that was hit by a Cambodian rocket.

Despite having only four months in office, Mr Sihasak has a vast array of issues to manage, including balancing Thailand’s relations with China and the United States, as well as crafting a path towards sustainable peace and cooperation with Cambodia.

“Thailand chooses the path of peace because we believe that the people of both countries deserve no less,” he said at the UN event.

Declining confidence among Asian travellers to Thailand has also affected the Taiwanese market this year, say travel agents.

Even though the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) remains hopeful about increasing arrivals from Taiwan to 1.2 million in 2026 – up from the 1 million targeted this year – Taiwanese travel agents emphasise the need to upgrade products and services in order to restore tourist confidence.

Sarima Chindamat, director of the Taipei office, said the TAT has revised down the target for this market to 1 million due to several headwinds.

Those include the earthquake in March and call centre scams that lured foreigners to work in neighbouring countries by using Thailand as a transit hub.

One recent factor was the skirmishes along the Thailand-Cambodia border, prompting Taiwan to issue a yellow travel alert for Thailand in July.

US tariffs have also put pressure on the overall economy and impacted spending among tourists, she added.

At present, tourists are seeking more emotional and experiential value during their trips, with smaller groups of 10-30 people and a personalised itinerary.

Potential segments include senior travellers, millennials, families and niche markets such as golfers as well as LGBT tourists.

In terms of capacity, there were 1.9 million airline seats a year between Taiwan and three cities in Thailand – Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket.

Some chartered flights are also operated from second-tier cities in Taiwan, such as Taichung, Tainan and Hualien to Thailand.

As of Sept 22, a total of 716,169 Taiwanese travellers had visited Thailand. The total for all of last year was 1.08 million, far exceeding the 790,039 arrivals recorded in 2019.

Thailand was the sixth most popular outbound destination for Taiwanese tourists, according to first-half data from the Taiwan Tourism Bureau.

Taiwanese tourists’ top five destinations were Japan, China, South Korea, Hong Kong and Vietnam, respectively.

Ms Sarima said the agency is preparing to roll out campaigns for the final three months to gain at least 100,000 tourists a month, paving the way to 1.2 million Taiwanese tourists next year.

It also consistently holds tradeshows and familiarisation trips for agents to boost the market, as well as offering joint promotions with agents and airlines.

Last week, over 300 Taiwanese agents joined the Association of Thai Travel Agents roadshow in Taipei, which was held in collaboration with the TAT.

Penny Chen, managing director of Kai Nan Tourist Club, said that post-pandemic, Taiwanese tourists opted for tours that offered local experiences and city escapes.

Mr Chen said Thailand also has both local and international celebrations which attract Taiwanese tourists, such as the annual New Year countdown event in Bangkok.

Of the company’s outbound packages, Thailand accounted for 30%, while the largest market, representing 60%, was package tours to Japan, which is the most popular destination among Taiwanese every year.

Regarding the sinkhole in Bangkok, Mr Chen said this kind of accident had occurred in many places before, and it should not impact tourist confidence, assuming reliable repair work is carried out.

A rather more important factor in attracting tourists is upgrading attractions to become more friendly to all generations, including senior travellers, along with more quality goods and products.

Fendi Shi, general manager of Gloria Tour, said some Taiwanese tourists are concerned about their children or family members visiting Thailand because of the widespread consumption and misuse of cannabis.

Ms Shi said Thailand should regulate its cannabis consumption more properly and educate members of the public.

It should also roll out campaigns and enforce safety measures to restore tourist confidence in order to deal with the scam centre issue.

She said that since 2-3 years ago, Vietnam has become more popular with new products and cheaper prices than Thailand. Packages for this market now sell more quickly than those for Thailand.

Ms Shi said the company is planning to join the TAT’s chartered flight incentives, as it has been operating routes between Taiwan and Phuket, bringing 500 tourists a month to Thailand.

Anny Lin, general manager of Supreme General Travel Service, said this year tour packages sales for other Southeast Asian markets, such as Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam, have been outpacing Thailand.

In the past, the company could arrange many large tour groups to Thailand with thousands of tourists a month, but the monthly number has dropped to just 200-300 at present, said Ms Lin.

She said many travel agents have been discounting their tour packages in a bid to attract tourists to compensate for the unsafe perception of Thai tourism.

During next month’s Taiwan National Holiday, the overall Taiwanese outbound market is expected to face challenges due to concerns about the economy and spending, she said.

At the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Thailand and Cambodia verbally clashed again over their border dispute. What stood out was not just the usual complaints, but the gap between quiet promises made behind closed doors and loud posturing in public.

As per a US request for informal four-party consultations (Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and the US) just a day earlier on the sidelines of UNGA, both countries talked peace, dialogue, mutual trust, and confidence. Yet, less than 24 hours later, during the UNGA general debate session, Phnom Penh quickly abandoned that tone.

In his speech, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sokhonn Prak accused Thailand of aggression, portrayed his country as the victim, and made a long list of accusations against Thailand. Apparently, Cambodia was hoping to use the meeting in New York City to trumpet its own causes to the world body and hope everyone would listen and then take Cambodia’s side.

That was not to be.

In his own speech, newly appointed Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow minced no words in lambasting what was said by Sokhonn Prak as “completely opposite” to what had been said a day earlier at the four-party consultations. “It reveals the true intention of Cambodia. The allegations are so far-fetched that they make a mockery of the truth,” he declared.

From the beginning, he reiterated that Cambodia initiated the conflict with the intention of expanding a border dispute into a national conflict and further internationalising it. He also told the international community of the real victims — the Thai soldiers maimed by landmines, schoolchildren whose classrooms were shelled, and shoppers hit by numerous missiles.

Furthermore, he also pointed out that the Cambodian villages inside Thai territory exist only because Bangkok opened its borders in the 1970s out of compassion during Cambodia’s civil war. That humanitarian gesture has since been twisted into an encroachment. At the time, Mr Sihasak was a young desk official working on the Cambodian conflict, so he was well aware of the border’s condition at that time.

He also pointed out that even though the civil war has ended and the shelters closed, the Cambodian villages have expanded over the decades. “Despite Thailand’s repeated protests, Cambodia has ignored those requests to address this encroachment,” he reiterated.

To document events, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided further details to all foreign missions and diplomats regarding those events. On Saturday alone, Cambodian troops fired 12 mortar rounds, 15 machine-gun rounds, grenades, and small arms at Thai positions in Ubon Ratchathani. Hidden cameras had been set up in advance to record Thai responses, suggesting a staged provocation. When Bangkok exercised restraint, Phnom Penh immediately disseminated disinformation, claiming that Thai forces had fired first.

Notably, this was not an isolated incident. From Sept 11-27, the Thai army recorded over 200 drone incursions, force buildups, trench digging inside Thai territory, grenade attacks, and repeated gunfire. Specifically, on Sept 17, Cambodia even mobilised 200 civilians to cross into Thai territory and tear down barbed wire, forcing Thai police to disperse them with non-lethal means.

On Sept 24, a Cambodian tank was deployed within firing range of Thai positions near the Phra Viharn/Preah Vihear Hill. In addition, on Sept 25, grenades were hurled at Thai troops. Then, on Saturday, the same playbook returned — heavy weapons fire was timed to coincide with the visit of a Cambodian interim observer team — to create false optics for the international community.

The pattern is rather obvious for all to see — provocation comes first, cameras must be ready, and disinformation will follow with the wrap-up at the UN podium.

Such behaviour, the ministry said, violates Thailand’s sovereignty and the Putrajaya ceasefire agreement signed on July 28, as well as agreed measures from both the General Border Committee (GBC) and the Regional Border Committee (RBC) meetings. Both sides agreed in these meetings to halt fire with all weapons and refrain from provocative acts. Peace and de-escalation will not happen if there is no sincerity across the border.

Despite heavy public pressure for the Anutin government to be more assertive, Thai forces, after agreeing to a ceasefire, have responded with measured and proportionate actions. The ministry’s note verbale to all diplomatic missions underscores Thailand’s position in pursuing dialogue, Asean mechanisms, and peaceful resolution.

At the UN General Assembly, the mood was clear. UN delegates want de-escalation, consistency and credibility. Furthermore, they do not want another lingering conflict. The world has plenty of wars to worry about — one in Ukraine and one in the Middle East, not to mention the conflicts in Myanmar and civil wars on the African continent. Thailand’s fact-based rebuttal augurs well with the prevailing UN mood.

Truth be told, by staging provocations, filming them, and then crying victim at the UN, Cambodia has served an untimely dish and undermined its own credibility.

Wrapping up his rebuttal on Cambodia, Mr Sihasak pointed out that both countries face a defining choice. “As a close neighbour and as a friend, we must ask Cambodia which path they wish to take — the path of continued confrontation or the path of peace and cooperation,” he added.

The ceasefire is still fragile but is holding. Both countries can follow the UNGA’s theme, “Better Together,” by honouring their commitments in full.

Restaurant operators don’t expect the upcoming eight-day Chinese Golden Week to supercharge the industry’s mood, as the number of Chinese customers might not reach as high a level as last year.

China’s National Day holiday and the Mid-Autumn Festival this year run from Oct 1-8.

China’s state-run Xinhua news agency reported on Sunday, citing the Ministry of Transport, that travel demand during the period is expected to be robust, with a substantial increase in the number of Chinese nationals travelling abroad.

However, the Tourism Authority of Thailand predicts the country will welcome around 200,000 Chinese arrivals from Sept 26 to Oct 8, a 24% drop year-on-year.

Rawat Khongchat, a member of the Night Restaurant Business Trade Association, said restaurant businesses are currently facing negative sentiment from Thai customers, resulting from the sluggish economy, uncertainty surrounding domestic politics and the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia.

He added that local diners are taking a more cautious approach to spending, resulting in less spending on nights out, which hurts the night restaurant business.

Revenue in the first and last quarters represents a lifeline to these businesses, as they contribute the majority of annual income, he noted.

Moreover, he also observed a drop in the number of Chinese visitors.

“During this Golden Week, the night restaurant business might be boosted, but the number of Chinese diners during this Golden Week will not be as high as before,” he said.

Meanwhile, other growing markets such as India and Europe may not sufficiently offset the decline in Chinese diners, he added.

Kamol Meechaipattanakit, a member of the southern subcommittee of the Restaurant and Goods Product Association, anticipates that the restaurant sector in the South would remain flat or grow slightly in October.

He expects the number of Chinese diners during this long holiday to either match last year’s figures or experience a slight drop.

Mr Kamol urged the authorities to hold promotions to attract travellers from the short-haul markets.

Mr Rawat called on the government to restore tourists’ confidence, especially regarding safety concerns, by tackling negative news about Thailand.