The Goethe-Institut on Sathon Road is holding “Re:complex”, an exhibition that reflects on the creative residue from a shared process among eight artists, from today until next Thursday.
The eight-day show captures ideas, systems and signals the artists encountered during a Code-based Digital Art workshop led by Kim Asendorf, which was organised along with his first retrospective “Complex” in March this year. They are then refracted, reinterpreted and transformed into new artistic practices shaped by collaboration, code and conversation.
The artists explored a wide spectrum of concepts and approaches. Their works reflect diverse engagements with code, systems and media technologies, ranging from traditional music and classical dance reinterpreted as looping digital memory to simulations of artificial life that question pain, ethics and the future of human existence.
Low-resolution light fields reflect presence through abstraction. Ocean waves are translated into emotional data using computer vision. Simple bodily movements generate rippling digital ecosystems. Bangkok traffic becomes a tool for syncing narrative with movement, and memory is reprogrammed to navigate the layered emotions of diasporic longing.
The eight participating artists are Natthakit Kangsadansenanon, Nivedita Johri, Patt Vira, Rogerger Ng, Theerawat Klangjareonchai, Wasawat Somno, Wuttin Chansataboot and Lamtharn Hantrakul, aka Yaboihanoi.
The exhibition is open for weekday viewing daily from noon to 8pm and noon to 10pm from Friday to Sunday.
Seven government officials were arrested in the nationwide “Kick Off 1386: Tackling Every Drug Problem” operation which cracked down on small-scale drug dealers and their associates in 21 provinces last month, according to the Justice Ministry.
Minister Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon Naowarat announced the results of the campaign on Wednesday.
The operation, coordinated by the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB), was carried out in 87 districts at 161 locations. It involved the cooperation of ONCB secretary-general Pol Maj Suriya Singhakamon and Pol Lt Gen Achayon Kraithong, commissioner of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau (NSB).
Kanisorn Papeeranon, director of the ONCB’s Drug Suppression Bureau, reported that from Oct 1-31, the ONCB’s 1368 hotline received 3,184 complaints, of which 329 (10.33%) were acted upon. Among these, 31 cases involved allegations against state officials.
The operation targeted 156 individuals, including seven government officials suspected of involvement in drug-related activities.
Authorities discovered evidence of illegal activity among 62 people, arrested 39, and sent 23 to rehabilitation programmes. Seized items included 2,700 methamphetamine pills, 65.6 grammes of crystal meth (“ice”), 2.8g of ketamine, and assets. Another 18 locations remain under active investigation.
Pol Gen Rutthaphol praised the joint effort among government agencies and community leaders, noting that local residents’ cooperation via the 1386 hotline played a crucial role in the success of the mission.
He said the operation achieved “satisfactory results in all dimensions”, adding similar efforts would be intensified in Bangkok.
Regarding the arrested government officials, Pol Lt Gen Rutthapon said they were directly involved in drug trading and distribution.
The government is to set up a data bureau to combat grey money flowing through cryptocurrency, money changers, and the gold market, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said.
As chair of the Subcommittee on Financial Data Integration, Mr Ekniti, also a deputy prime minister, said yesterday that the bureau will consolidate financial information from major agencies, including the Ministries of Finance, Digital Economy and Society, Commerce and Justice, the Bank of Thailand, the Anti-Money Laundering Office and the Revenue Department.
Mr Ekniti said this will be done to eliminate data barriers and strengthen financial oversight.
The bureau’s work will centre on verifying the identities of individuals, corporations and nominees, tracking suspicious financial movements, and monitoring inflows and outflows of funds.
It will also scrutinise transactions involving real estate, luxury vehicles, gold, and unregulated crypto markets to detect potential money laundering.
The bureau is expected to be operational by December.
Thailand’s investment promotion policy is entering a new phase as the Board of Investment (BoI) intensifies efforts to support the country’s transition towards a “smart and sustainable economy”, says secretary-general Narit Therdsteerasukdi.
As part of these efforts the BoI is collaborating with the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) to offer investment incentives and capital market mechanisms to companies aiming to mobilise funds through the Thai bourse.
The partnership aims to encourage BoI-promoted multinational companies to float their shares on the SET. Listed firms would be granted support in launching value-added projects, enhancing production efficiency, and achieving sustainable growth, he said.
“The goal is to make Thailand a regional business hub and a gateway for trade and investment in Asia,” said Mr Narit. “We are developing a comprehensive ecosystem that integrates tax and non-tax incentives with financial support and post-investment services.”
SET president Asadej Kongsiri said the bourse’s mission is to serve as a platform for businesses to raise funds for long-term, sustainable growth.
“The best way to get through these challenging times is to keep growing the economy,” he told an event jointly hosted by the SET and BoI.
Mr Narit said both agencies will integrate their strategic tools to support businesses in the new economy, from high-tech manufacturing to digital innovation, aiming to position Thailand as a regional investment and fundraising hub.
“We believe the combined strengths of the BoI and SET will be a powerful force to enhance the competitiveness of Thai enterprises,” he said. “Our focus is to build new economic engines that promote smart, sustainable industries while strengthening existing sectors.”
The pilot phase of the initiative focuses on three high-tech industries that have drawn strong foreign investment in recent years: smart electronics, electric vehicles and digital technologies.
Companies such as Delta Electronics (Thailand) and Cal-Comp Electronics (Thailand) demonstrate how BoI-promoted firms can benefit from capital market participation to expand globally, said Mr Narit.
The BoI’s investment applications in the first nine months of this year totalled 1.37 trillion baht, a 94% increase year-on-year, with the number of projects soaring 23%.
The growth reflects renewed investor confidence following government stimulus measures and Thailand’s positioning as a key investment hub in the region, he said.
“The BoI is not only promoting investment, but also driving structural transformation to build new economic engines for long-term competitiveness,” said Mr Narit. “Our mission is to support investors and Thai enterprises in transitioning to the new economy — one that is innovative, inclusive and competitive. In doing so, Thailand will attract high-quality investment and ensure long-term prosperity for future generations.”
Mr Asadej said collaboration with the BoI will make the capital market more inclusive by connecting investment promotion with fundraising opportunities.
“This partnership not only provides growth pathways for new companies, but also offers investors exposure to high-potential industries,” he said.
A view of Bangkok from the roof park at Dusit Central Park. Land prices in Bangkok’s central business district continued to rise despite a sluggish overall market. (Photo: Wisuttipong Rodpai)
Despite a 41% plunge in the total value of land transactions nationwide — the lowest in 15 years and occurring during an economic slowdown — land prices in Bangkok’s central business district (CBD) continued to climb, with Sukhumvit recording the sharpest increase at 10%.
According to property consultancy Colliers Thailand, while the economy lost momentum, land values in Bangkok keep rising, reflecting owners’ confidence in the long-term appreciation of their assets.
“Landlords in the capital, particularly in CBD areas, still view their land as highly valuable,” said Phattarachai Taweewong, research and communication director at Colliers Thailand. “We have not seen any indication of price reductions.”
He said some plots in prime downtown locations are now priced at more than 4 million baht per square wah, yet they continue to draw strong interest from developers eager to secure rare freehold sites within the city’s core.
SOUGHT-AFTER AREAS
A record-breaking transaction recently occurred on Sarasin Road, where SET-listed developer Sansiri acquired a plot for 3.9 million baht per sq w — the highest price recorded in Thailand.
Following that deal, asking prices in nearby areas such as Wireless Road climbed to 4 million baht per sq w, highlighting renewed confidence in Bangkok’s most coveted zones.
Chidlom has become the second-most expensive area, with asking prices at around 3.2 million baht per sq w after a transaction took place last year priced at 3 million baht per sq w.
The neighbouring Ploenchit area also remains in demand, with offers nearing 3 million baht per sq w, supported by limited supply and sustained interest from luxury developers.
In the Sukhumvit area, land prices have been rising by around 10% annually, with most plots along the main road offered at 2.5-2.9 million baht per sq w. The latest record was set by a Thong Lor plot that recently changed ownership at 2.86 million baht per sq w.
Property consultancy CBRE Thailand recently reported the average asking prices of freehold, off-plan condo units in the high-end segments in Central Lumpini and Sukhumvit converged once again in the second quarter of 2025 after a five-year period during which prices in Central Lumpini significantly outpaced those in Sukhumvit.
In 2014, prices in the two areas were relatively close, at 210,000 and 175,000 baht per sq metre, respectively.
Between 2020 and 2022, Central Lumpini surged ahead to 480,000 baht per sq m, while Sukhumvit trailed at 250,000 baht per sq m.
However, by the second quarter of 2025 prices had realigned, averaging 368,571 baht per sq m in Central Lumpini and 366,000 baht per sq m in Sukhumvit.
“Sukhumvit remains Bangkok’s most sought-after address among expatriates, accounting for 65% of total demand, compared with 18% in Silom-Sathon and just 9% in Central Lumpini and Siam,” said Artitaya Kasemlawan, head of residential sales-project at CBRE Thailand.
Mr Phattarachai of Colliers added that although some developers have offloaded undeveloped plots in various locations, these sites have still drawn strong interest from other developers.
“Several deals were successfully closed last year at relatively high prices,” he said.
Prime land in Bangkok’s CBD continues to attract major developers, though most high-value deals take time to conclude due to complex negotiations and due diligence, said Mr Phattarachai.
The more active transactions this year have shifted towards the city fringe and along extended mass transit lines, where land costs are lower and development focuses on affordable condos and low-rise projects.
According to the Bank of Thailand, the total value of land and building transfers nationwide in the first seven months of 2025 tallied 404 billion baht, down 41% from 689 billion year-on-year.
This marks the lowest level of national land transactions since 2010, as sluggish economic conditions and weak purchasing power weigh heavily on both developers and buyers.
In the Sathon area, land prices also climbed significantly following high-profile sales. The sale of the Australian Embassy compound averaged 1.45 million baht per sq w, but later transactions pushed prices above 2 million baht.
As a result, asking prices in Sathon have reached around 2.5 million baht per sq w, reflecting the ongoing scarcity of prime development land.
CHALLENGES AHEAD
Mr Phattarachai warned that persistently high land costs could pose a challenge for developers, as land remains the largest component of total project expenses.
“If land prices continue to rise without moderation, it will inevitably push up housing prices,” he said. “This could make new units increasingly unaffordable for consumers.”
Soaring land values have also lengthened the negotiation and decision-making process for buyers, said Mr Phattarachai.
Many landlords now recognise that prime plots can continue to appreciate, prompting them to delay sales.
As a result, more landlords are turning to new income-generating models instead of outright sales.
Many have begun exploring leasehold arrangements or joint venture partnerships with developers to monetise land while retaining ownership, he said.
“For genuine prime land, owners now expect prices to rise by more than 10% annually,” said Mr Phattarachai. “This has led to growing hesitation among landlords to sell.”
Colliers expects asking prices for land in Bangkok’s CBD to continue climbing through 2026, as prime landowners show no sign of lowering prices.
“When land prices rise, they tend to increase across the board,” he said. “There has never been a period when we saw a broad-based decline in CBD land values.”
The sustained surge in land prices will continue to pressure developers’ margins and consumer affordability, a situation that warrants close monitoring, said Mr Phattarachai.
“Developers will have to absorb higher costs, which directly affect project prices,” he said. “Ultimately, consumers will face higher home prices that may exceed what the market can bear.”
SIMPLY IRRESISTABLE
Colliers observed that many prime plots remain unsold, as potential buyers take longer to evaluate deals they perceive as overpriced.
However, some developers have resumed buying, confident that well-located land will still generate strong returns after development.
“Even when asking prices appear high, certain developers see long-term potential,” Mr Phattarachai said. “They are willing to buy because they anticipate robust profitability once the projects are completed.”
He said developer interest in land acquisition remains strong this year, particularly for sites suitable for mixed-use and residential projects.
Meanwhile, some developers continue to list non-core land holdings for sale, reflecting a more selective and strategic approach to land banking.
Mr Phattarachai said this dual trend — selective purchases of prime plots and divestment of non-strategic sites — will define the Bangkok land market in the near term.
“Land will remain a critical asset class,” he said. “Even with fewer overall transactions, the appetite for high-potential plots in Bangkok is unlikely to fade.”
An artist’s impression of iPlearn, Pruksa Real Estate’s new apartment-for-rent venture.
SET-listed housing developer Pruksa Holding has diversified into the apartment-for-rent business to secure recurring income amid a sluggish residential market, targeting a rental yield of 6-8%.
Piya Prayong, chief executive of Inno Home Construction Co (IHC), a subsidiary of Pruksa, said the company aims to increase its proportion of recurring income from rental housing under the new “iPlern” brand, with rents starting from 2,000 baht a month.
“We plan to invest about 100 million baht in the fourth quarter of this year to launch the first five iPlern projects in Rangsit, Lam Luk Ka and Bo Win — locations surrounded by factories and universities,” he said.
These projects are expected to generate about 1 million baht in annual recurring rental income, providing additional cash flow during the housing market downturn.
In the first half of 2025, Pruksa reported total revenue of 6.94 billion baht, down 30% from the same period last year, with about 74% deriving from residential sales. Net profit plunged 76% year-on-year to 90 million baht.
He said the apartment rental market in Thailand remains promising, with around 745,000 units worth around 27 billion baht, expanding about 3% annually.
The market enjoys an average occupancy rate of 90%, driven mainly by Gen Z renters, particularly students and first jobbers.
To capture this growing segment, IHC plans to redevelop Pruksa’s existing land previously allocated for townhouse and condo projects into apartment complexes in high-demand locations, such as industrial zones and university districts.
In 2026, the company expects to ramp up investment to 2 billion baht to develop 100 additional projects nationwide.
By 2029, IHC aims to operate 316 apartment projects, generating around 640 million baht in annual rental income and holding total assets worth 6.3 billion baht.
The firm plans to later divest these assets into a real estate investment trust (REIT) to fund future expansion.
“Our focus next year will be on major university areas across Thailand, such as Bangkok University and Kasetsart University,” Mr Piya said. The projects will target students (40%), factory workers (35%) and first jobbers (25%).
Rental rates will vary by location and room size, starting from 21 square metres. Apartments near universities are set with 4,000–5,000 baht a month, compared with condos at 7,000–10,000 baht.
Units near industrial zones will start from 2,000–3,000 baht, while those in city centres will command 8,000–10,000 baht a month.
Mr Piya said IHC aims to capture a lower purchasing segment than that of condos to avoid direct competition with Pruksa’s flagship Plum Condo brand, with the monthly rate of 7,000–8,000 baht.
In the longer term, IHC plans to introduce a hybrid “Plern” model combining apartments and affordable condos within the same development — though in separate buildings — with condo prices starting from 600,000 to 700,000 baht.
IHC projects an internal rate of return of 13–15% and an annual yield of 8–10% from its apartment portfolio.
Police, local officials and rescuers gather at Nai Thon beach to resume the search for a missing Russian tourist on Tuesday. His body was found late in the afternoon. (Photo: Thalang district office)
The body of a Russian man who went missing after being swept out to sea by strong waves off Nai Thon Beach on Monday was found on Tuesday evening.
Police received a report of a foreign tourist drowning at the beach at 10.14am on Monday.
Police rushed to the scene and found a Russian woman, identified only as Elizaveta, a friend of the missing man.
She told police that Dmitri Zakutskii, 31, was swimming with friends at around 9am on Monday when a large wave suddenly struck, pulling him out to sea.
Rescue workers, divers and lifeguards searched for the man using jet skis. However, they were unable to find him.
The search resumed on Tuesday and the body was recovered at 5.30pm. It was handed over to authorities for post-mortem procedures.
The district chief expressed his condolences to the victim’s family, urging all tourists to follow lifeguards’ safety warnings and avoid swimming during rough sea conditions.
The Thai Life Assurance Association (TLAA) has issued a warning to the public against purchasing life or health insurance policies from unlicensed foreign entities operating online.
The association said buyers have no legal protection under Thai law, while sellers could face serious criminal penalties.
According to TLAA president Nusara Banyatpiyaphod, consumers are urged to exercise extreme caution when purchasing insurance via online platforms or digital channels that promote policies from foreign entities not authorised to operate in Thailand.
She said such unregulated offers — often advertised with low premiums — could expose policyholders to serious risks, including loss of legal rights, financial insecurity, and difficulties in claiming compensation.
“Unlicensed insurers are not supervised by the Office of the Insurance Commission [OIC],” said Ms Nusara. “This means policyholders cannot file complaints, seek mediation, or receive support from Thailand’s Life Insurance Fund if disputes arise or the company becomes insolvent.”
In contrast, licensed insurers in Thailand are strictly regulated by the OIC and must comply with local laws, including maintaining adequate financial stability through the required capital adequacy ratio to ensure long-term protection for policyholders.
The TLAA also highlighted additional risks when buying insurance directly from foreign companies, such as foreign exchange risk. Most foreign policies are denominated in other currencies, leaving buyers exposed to exchange rate fluctuations.
Filing claims across borders can also be a lengthy and costly process, often requiring English-language documentation, cross-border verification, and even foreign legal representation — costs that could easily exceed the policy’s value.
Under Thailand’s Life Insurance Act of 1992, anyone soliciting or selling insurance on behalf of an unauthorised foreign insurer commits a criminal offence punishable by a prison term of up to six months, a fine of up to 50,000 baht, or both.
The TLAA advises consumers to verify that insurers, agents and brokers are licensed via the OIC’s website or its OIC Smart Check mobile app, as well as avoiding purchasing insurance from unlicensed foreign companies through online platforms that lack verified sources or advertise suspiciously low premiums.
Choose only insurers authorised to operate in Thailand to ensure full legal protection, reliable service and guaranteed benefits, noted the association.
“Buying life insurance is about transferring risk to secure your future and that of your loved ones. Choosing an insurer licensed and regulated by the OIC is the wisest decision to ensure your protection truly safeguards you when it matters most,” said Ms Nusara.
“Legitimate life insurance is real financial security — don’t let attractive online offers turn into costly regrets.”
She also urged the public to report any suspicious sales of unauthorised insurance policies to the OIC or the TLAA to maintain a transparent, safe and trustworthy insurance environment in Thailand.
The People’s Party has denied allegations that it deducted salaries from assistants to its MPs to pay for party membership fees, saying the claims were politically motivated to discredit the opposition.
The allegations were made by Klatham Party MP Phai Lik, who said such practices could constitute a money-laundering offence.
People’s Party deputy leader Rangsiman Rome said that it was both illegal and against party regulations to divert salaries of MPs’ assistants to cover someone else’s membership fee.
‘If any such misdeed is committed by anyone in the party, we’re ready to take legal action,’ he said on Wednesday.
‘We are open to scrutiny from any independent agency, and we have nothing to worry about.’
Each member of the House of Representatives can hire up to three assistants, using an allowance to pay them. Salaries are negotiable but generally they are reported to be around the same as for entry-level office workers.
A yearly membership in the People’s Party costs 50 baht. A lifetime membership costs between 350 and 500 baht.
Mr Rangsiman also criticised Mr Phai for lacking a basic understanding of money laundering and proxy accounts, which involve illegal money, not legitimate salaries.
He said the allegations were baseless.
Mr Rangsiman also questioned how Klatham managed to recruit people to become the party with the most registered members, despite its modest seat total (26) in the House.
Klatham tops the list with 181,551 paid-up members, followed by the People’s Party (107,245) and Palang Pracharath (72,097), according to data from the Election Commission.
Mr Rangsiman said his party had a rigorous, four-step membership verification process that includes photo identification, one-time password (OTP) verification and random audits, adding that every complaint was thoroughly checked.
Mr Phai also claimed that a former People’s Party assistant had admitted to returning most of his salary after tax deductions and that he was instructed to transfer 2,000 baht as a membership fee for others.
The Kamphaeng Phet also alleged that a People’s Party MP had appointed a high school student as an aide, which could violate regulations requiring assistants to have at least 5 years of political experience.
He defended his party’s growing membership, saying its expansion was due to active recruitment and community work, especially in the provinces where it had MPs such as Kamphaeng Phet and Phayao, the latter being the home of Thamanat Prompow, the party’s de facto leader.
The Election Commission (EC) has advised the public to check their political party membership online while offering a channel to remove unauthorised listings.
It has urged the public to verify whether their names appear as members of any party on its official website, following reports that some people were listed as members of various parties without their consent.
People can check their status at party.ect.go.th, which contains information submitted directly by political parties.
If anyone finds their name has been falsely used, or listed without their knowledge or consent, the EC recommends they report to the party registrar to verify the facts and request the removal of their name from the membership list. If the verification confirms the individual did not knowingly or voluntarily apply for membership, the party registrar will remove the name from the list. The EC will regard the individual as never having been a member of that party from the beginning.
Alternatively, individuals may contact the party at its headquarters, scan the QR code provided by the EC, or submit a written request to the party registrar at the Office of the EC.
Under Section 107 of the Act on Political Parties, any party registrar who falsifies membership records, or any party that falsely claims a person as its member, is subject to a prison term of up to three years, a fine not exceeding 60,000 baht, or both.
The warning came in response to online complaints from people after they discovered they had been listed as party members without their consent.
