Category: The Bangkok Post

Solar farms, wind turbines, and electric vehicles are crucial to slashing carbon emissions, but they can’t carry Thailand all the way to net zero.

The real game-changers might be two lesser-known technologies: Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) and hydrogen.

Together, CCUS and hydrogen are being hailed as the “last-mile” solutions to slash emissions that can’t be avoided, especially in heavy industries like steel, cement, and petrochemicals. These sectors are the backbone of the economy, but also among the hardest to clean up.

These two technologies of the future are the missing pieces to help the world — and Thailand — reach its carbon neutrality and net-zero targets.

In short, to save the planet and humanity.

The catch? They’re still very costly and stuck in a tangle of policies and legal gaps. But if Thailand wants a truly low-carbon future, these two technologies might just be the keys to getting there.

How CCUS works

CCUS works by capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) before it escapes into the air — usually from factory chimneys or other emission sources. The captured gas is then stored deep underground in layers of rock or put to use in other ways, such as being processed into new materials or reused in the energy and petrochemical industries.

Around the world, this technology captures about 400 million tonnes of carbon each year, still a drop in the ocean compared to total emissions.

Some countries are moving fast. In the United States, the Gulf Coast industrial cluster now traps more than 20 million tonnes of CO2 a year, with plans to scale up sevenfold to 140 million tonnes.

This progress didn’t happen by accident. It’s driven by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which gives companies up to US$85 in tax credit for every tonne of carbon they capture. Capturing one tonne of carbon can cost anywhere between $15 and $120, depending on the emission source.

Without tax incentives from the government, CCUS would be too costly and economically unviable.

Thailand also has potential. A study by the Global CCS Institute suggests the Gulf of Thailand could store more than 8.4 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide. This is enough to keep emissions safely locked away for decades.

But CCUS won’t take off in Thailand unless the government get four things right.

First, it needs to set clear national CCUS targets that fit with the country’s net-zero goals. Second, there should be one government body in charge, with proper laws and rules covering every step of the value chain.

Third, investors need a reason to get on board. They need financial support and incentives that make the effort worthwhile. And most importantly, Thailand needs a fair carbon price, so the market itself starts pushing the change.

Green Hydrogen

While CCUS tackles emissions that can’t be avoided, hydrogen offers a path to cleaner fuel. When burned or used in fuel cells, hydrogen releases no carbon at all. Hydrogen, particularly green hydrogen made with renewable energy, can even store power for weeks to solve one of the biggest problems of solar and wind energy: their instability.

Many developed countries are racing ahead with hydrogen technology. Germany is building a 1,200-kilometre hydrogen pipeline network to connect industries across the country by 2030.

Japan has had a hydrogen strategy since 2017 and recently passed new laws — the GX Promotion Act (2023) and Hydrogen Society Promotion Act (2024) — to speed up real-world use, including testing ships that carry liquid hydrogen. Meanwhile, Australia aims to become a major hydrogen exporter, starting with hydrogen made from coal and CCUS, and moving to full-scale green hydrogen by 2030.

Thailand has started to move too. There are plans to test green hydrogen mixed with natural gas to generate electricity, but that may not be efficient in the long run. Making hydrogen from clean electricity only to turn it back into power wastes energy at several stages. A better use would be in heavy transport as fuel for trucks, buses, and cargo ships that need steady, high power. There are several pilot projects in the heavy transport sector. For example, the state energy firm PTT aims to produce green hydrogen and build filling stations to serve 30-50 hydrogen-powered trucks. A Thai-Japanese partnership is also testing 20 trucks that can run more than 600 kilometres a day on hydrogen fuel cells.

But cost remains a major roadblock. Green hydrogen now costs 280 to 340 baht per kilogramme. To compete with diesel, it must drop to around 200. Domestic demand is still weak too, as Thailand lacks both infrastructure and a clear policy direction. Thailand is taking its first steps into the hydrogen era. The progress is small but promising. Still, without faster action, the country risks becoming just an importer of hydrogen rather than a developer that can add value and create jobs at home.

To make hydrogen part of the real economy, Thailand needs to move on several fronts.

Green hydrogen should first be used in heavy transport — trucks, buses, and ships that need powerful, continuous energy. The government also needs to set clear safety standards and update the rules to officially allow hydrogen as a fuel.

Costs have to come down, too, so green hydrogen can compete with diesel. And to make it practical, Thailand must expand its refuelling network, attract private investment, and fund more research and development.

Both CCUS and hydrogen hold enormous promise. But that promise will remain out of reach without clear long-term goals, coherent policies, strong laws, and the right financial incentives.

The sooner Thailand invests in these technologies of the future, the greater its chance of shaping, not just surviving, the world’s next energy revolution.

Grand Master Exhibition Co., Ltd., in collaboration with the Thai Garment Manufacturers Association (TGMA) and the Thai Advertising Business Development Association (TABDA), proudly announces the launch of three major trade shows of the year:

Bangkok Ad and Sign Expo 2025 – Showcasing the latest technology in signage and outdoor advertising production.

Bangkok Digital Textile Print Expo 2025 – Featuring cutting-edge innovations in digital textile printing for apparel, fashion and sportswear.

Bangkok Pack and Label Expo 2025 – Presenting the newest trends in eco-friendly packaging and labelling technologies.

These events will be held from 6-9 November 2025 at Halls 6-7, IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, under the central theme ‘ECO Friendly.’

Event Highlights:

10,000 sqm of Exhibition Space – Immerse yourself in groundbreaking digital printing innovations across signage, fashion, sportswear, packaging and labelling industries.Creative Ideas on Display – Explore integrated printing technologies from more than 80 leading local and international companies.Unbeatable Promotions – Enjoy exclusive offers from Thailand’s top distributors.In-Depth Seminars and Workshop Series – Gain fresh insights and hands-on experience from leading industry experts. Build business networks, explore partnerships and expand your customer base.

Senator Nantana Nantavaropas on Wednesday filed a complaint with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) accusing the chairman and 17 other members of the senate ethics committee of malfeance and serious ethical violations.

The panel chairman is Senate Deputy Speaker Gen Kriangkrai Srirak. The charges were laid under Section 157 of the Criminal Code.

Speaking at parliament, Ms Nantana, accompanied by lawyer Ananchai Chaiyadet, alleged the ethics panel violated senate regulations governing ethical standards and complaint procedures. She alleged their action was intended to unfairly punish her.

The controversy stems from an ethics complaint accusing Sen Nantana of insulting and belittling a pork seller, who happened to be a fellow senator, during a public discussion.

The ethics committee concluded on Oct 28 that her remarks violated ethical standards outlined in the constitution. Subsequently, 130 senators found her guilty of a serious ethical breach, forwarding the case to the NACC for further action.

Ms Nantana, a media academic-turned-senator, argued that the investigation was flawed and biased, noting that 15 of the 22 committee members had previously been implicated in a vote-rigging scandal involving the selection of senators – a case in which she was the complainant.

She said this conflict of interest rendered the committee unfit to judge her case, and her formal objection to the committee’s composition was ignored.

She also claimed she was denied the opportunity to testify, as the committee scheduled her hearing on July 29, the same day she was due to submit a constitutional amendment motion to parliament. She asked for a postponement, but her request was rejected.

Moreover, the senator alleged, the investigation exceeded the 150-day timeframe specified under senate ethics regulations.

The complaint was initially filed on Oct 7 last year. The Senate vote occurred 316 days later, rendering the process invalid, she said.

She had therefore decided to file a formal petition asking the NACC to investigate all 18 members of the senates ethics committee for alleged abuse of authority.

Lawyer Ananchai said he had formed a legal team to assist Ms Nantana without charging any fees. Their support came purely from goodwill.

They felt the senator was unfairly treated. Fifteen of the senators who handled the matter had a vested interest, he claimed.

Mr Ananchai said the senate committee’s actions were unlawful and pledged to pursue criminal charges if the NACC failed to act promptly.

‘I have filed a petition with the NACC requesting an investigation into Gen Kriengkrai, the ethics committee and the 17 others for alleged serious ethical violations,’ he said.

Gen Kriangkrai has previously denied allegations the ethics probe against Ms Nantana was politically motivated or intended to target her, following criticism that the inquiry into her remarks belittling a fellow senator was unfair.

On Monday, Sen Nantana submitted a formal petition to House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha calling for an inquiry into the senate’s “governance failure” and “misuse of authority”.

She said the case reflected a broader crisis of integrity within the legislative branch.

She urged the House speaker to establish a committee to investigate “abuse of power” in the Senate. The ruling against her was politically motivated and aimed at silencing dissent, she said.

Is the NBA Dynasty dead? We haven’t had a repeat champ in The League since the Stephen Curry-led Golden State Warriors pulled off the feat in the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 campaigns — that’s eight seasons ago.

It seems Dynasties have always been a part of NBA lore. In previous decades, teams regularly won consecutive crowns, qualifying them for such exalted status.

In the 1950s, the Minneapolis Lakers, with pro hoops first superstar George Mikan, won back-to-back titles. Then came Bill Russell and the Boston Celtics’ phenomenal run in the 1960s and ’70s,

After that, it was the Magic Johnson-Kareem Abdul Jabbar Showtime Lakers ruling the ’80s.

Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls dominated the nineties.

And it was Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant fuelling another Laker run early this century. Golden State then won consecutive titles last decade.

But if there was ever a team in this era of free agency and stars demanding trades that looks like they can win consecutive crowns — and maybe establish a new dynasty — it is the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The reigning NBA champs seem to have all the necessities for doing so.

Most importantly, their big three of stars are all very young. Regular season and Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is 27, All-NBA forward Jalen Williams, 24, and beanpole, scorer-deluxe centre Chet Holmgren is only 23.

Also, Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams have inked long term deals and Holmgren is about to do the same.

Just as importantly, all three recognise what a special thing they have brewing in OKC and are not looking to parlay their success in Oklahoma City for big bucks in a seemingly better environment — like former Thunder stars Kevin Durant, Michael Westbrook and Paul George did.

Greed and a desire for the bright lights elsewhere caused each guy to abandon a burgeoning mid-country powerhouse in Oklahoma City, leaving the club to rebuild each time.

Strong bonds

But that’s not the case with this current OKC outfit. All they seem to care about is getting better — together.

“That’s the fun of this,” stated Gilgeous-Alexander. “So many of us can still get better. There’s not many of us on the team that are in our prime or even close to it.”

Sprinkle in a group of unheralded but hard working — and effective — support players like hustling guard Alex Caruso, Isaiah Harternstein, a sturdy, bulwark of a centre, and solid and improving forward Aaron Wiggins and you have just the right mix of talent. And a ton of chemistry.

In addition, the Thunder have a deep bench of young players and a stockpile of future draft picks.

Yep, the Oklahoma City Thunder look like a good bet to blast that “NBA Dynasties are dead” talk to Smithereens.

Shame on those academics criticising the FDA for “destroying” a Thai business and damaging a national brand. Also, shame on the Hong Thai herbal inhaler’s founder for admitting that some production had taken place at unlicensed sites.

It’s ironic that people of his ilk, including those academics, have not been perturbed when they see the problem being swept under the carpet.

Indeed, a business operator should be prosecuted for endangering people’s health. And the academics don’t deserve to be called as such.

As a user of traditional Thai products and a regular inhaler user, I’ve stopped using this product altogether.

S de Jong

Net-zero exodus

Re: “Gates says climate change ‘won’t lead to humanity’s demise'”, (World, Oct 29).

A total of 893 companies have withdrawn their climate commitments from the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).

This represents approximately 7% of all companies that initially signed up for the initiative.

This trend is part of a broader withdrawal of big corporations from voluntary climate agreements due to a re-evaluation of economic and environmental benefits in light of swelling disaffection with the climate change narrative.

Respected Swiss firms like Swiss Re, Zurich, and Sulzer are examples. Additionally, banks including JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Goldman Sachs have left the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA) this year, an alliance that subsequently ceased its member-based activities.

Widespread criticism of climate change organisations, unfeasible and unrealistic climate policies, and detrimental impingement upon profitability are cited as major reasons for the shift.

It is quite clear that President Trump is having considerable success exposing the UN-centric climate change fraud, and big corporations are only too happy to acknowledge the truth, putting their money where it is most meaningful to them.

Michael Setter

Rails over roads

Re: “Driving in their cars”, (PostBag, Oct 31) and “Airport rail contract not cancelled”, (BP, Oct 8).

PostBag contributor JezzaNong is highly critical of the excessive use of motor cars, especially diesel-engined vehicles — a major cause of air pollution, as we all know and suggested letting the train take the strain.

I had thought Thai rail was pretty good considering other neighbouring countries’ networks, and I see a new line being built to the northeast.

Recently, there have been news reports about a plan to accelerate the construction of a train network linking Thailand with China.

Meanwhile, there is a planned rail project connecting the central airports Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao in Chon Buri province, but a finish date is not yet clear.

The Pheu Thai Party denied on Tuesday that one of its MP is involved with online gambling networks, after reports emerged suggesting a link between that individual and related websites.

Party secretary-general Prasert Jantararuangthong said after the reports surfaced he contacted the MP, who rejected all the allegations.

Mr Prasert said the party welcomed public scrutiny but noted that the MP in question would consult his legal advisers to consider what can be done to protect his reputation.

Mr Prasert, a former digital economy and society minister, said that during his tenure, the government blocked many illegal gambling websites and other suspicious sites under the cybercrime law and other legislation.

The Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) also investigated financial transactions linked to those platforms, he said, when asked about whether during his time overseeing the DES Ministry, authorities had examined possible connections between politicians and online gambling networks.

He described online gambling as a serious public concern and said it is likely to be among the key issues raised during a planned no-confidence motion to challenge the Bhumjaithai Party-led minority government.

He said the party is in the process of gathering information for this.

Pheu Thai has held talks with former coalition partners, including the Chartthaipattana and Democrat parties, about the possibility of seeking such a motion, he noted.

Mr Prasert said Pheu Thai is not part of the opposition whip and so he is not aware of whether the main opposition People’s Party would initiate its own motion or team up with Pheu Thai on this.

The party veteran urged the government to move ahead with the process of trying to amend the constitution before the plan to dissolve the House is actualised.

This has been tentatively set for the end of January.

He said there is still enough time to complete the second and third readings of the amendment bill.

Mr Prasert did not rule out the possibility of the government opting to dissolve the House early to avoid a no-confidence debate.

ROCTEC Global Public Company Limited (ROCTEC) has been awarded a five-star, or ‘Excellent’, rating in the 2025 Corporate Governance Report of Thai Listed Companies (CGR), conducted by the Thai Institute of Directors Association (IOD) with support from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The achievement marks a major leap for ROCTEC, which advanced from a three-star rating last year to the highest possible level this year.

The recognition reflects the company’s strong commitment to transparency, accountability and adherence to international standards of good corporate governance, ensuring responsibility toward all stakeholders.

CentralWorld will turn CentralWorld Pulse on 7th floor into a global marketplace during the 70th YWCA Diplomatic Charity Bazaar from tomorrow until Sunday.

Held in collaboration with spouses of ambassadors to Thailand and the YWCA in Bangkok, this is a festival of giving and sharing with more than 200 booths ready to bring renowned international gifts and cultural products from 43 countries.

They are carefully selected by the spouses of each country’s ambassador and some of them can’t be found in regular supermarkets. Many booths will offer up to 50% discounts and a “buy 1 get 1 free” promotion.

Back with bigger space spanning across 2,000m², this year’s bazaar will feature a special exhibition honouring HM Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother’s lifelong benevolence and support for the YWCA charity bazaar over the decades.

The bazaar marks the beginning of the year-end festival and sharing season and visitors will enjoy browsing through premium products from around the world.

Highlights include world-famous wines from Argentina; scarves and fine fabric tablecloths from Armenia; vitamins and supplements, butter and cheese from Australia; chocolates from Belgium; world-famous quality coffee beans from Brazil; dried fruits, nuts and almonds, salmon, snowfish and wines from Chile; and ready-to-eat food and clothing from China.

France will present dairy products, baked goods, perfumes, skincare products, duck liver, smoked duck sausage and lamb sausage, while Germany will bring beverages, desserts, sauces, sausages, hot dogs, fashion accessories, bags, skincare products and cleaning items.

There will be olive oil from Greece, foie gras from Hungary, handicrafts, shawls and rugs from India, coffee, tea, honey, chilli, tempeh and apparel from Indonesia, and wine, cheese, sauces, luggage and leather goods from Italy.

Expect to shop for matcha green tea and mulberry skincare from Japan, instant noodles, fresh fruits, cosmetics, supplements and snacks from Korea, frozen food from Malaysia, world-popular taco sauces and spices from Mexico, argan oil from Morocco, and fruits, honey, sweets, beef, meat and skincare products from New Zealand.

This is also an opportunity to indulge with international delicacies at the international food zone. To be served are German sausages, French croissants, Korean Ramyeon, Singaporean chicken rice, fine wines from Argentina, Chile, France, Portugal, Romania, South Africa and Spain, as well as baked goods from leading embassies and hotels.

Admission tickets cost 50 baht including a limited-edition shopping bag. Proceeds from ticket sales and booth participation will be donated to improve the quality of life of underprivileged children.

The Badminton Association of Thailand (BAT) has appointed former national badminton player Tesana Panvisavas as the team manager of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games national team.

The decision was made after a tumultuous week that rocked Thai badminton, following the resignation of the country’s top player Pornpawee Chochuwong, who had quit the SEA Games national team due to management issues.

World No.6 Pornpawee later reversed her decision after a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Capt Thamanat Prompow.

She also demanded a change of officials in the BAT’s development division and the replacement of the SEA Games team manager after players such as Kunlavut Vitidsarn and Ratchanok Intanon had their training allowances deducted for missing mandatory fitness tests due to international competitions.

Tesana was selected as the new team manager during a meeting yesterday between the BAT and coaches of the players, who will compete at the SEA Games.

Tesana is currently the coach of the SCG Badminton Academy and is also the BAT deputy secretary-general.

BAT president Air Chief Marshal Monthon Satchukorn also said that no official appointments have been made to the development division since some committee members resigned. The search for suitable replacements is underway, he added.

SET-listed XSpring Capital (XPG) is targeting 1.1 billion baht in revenue and 150 million baht in net profit for 2025, driven by its non-performing loan (NPL) management, expanding digital asset portfolio and strong lending growth.

Despite slower securities trading amid a challenging global economy, XPG, a holding company with businesses spanning bad debt management, securities trading, asset management and digital assets, said it remains confident of sustaining its growth momentum through its multi-pronged approach.

The company’s performance this year was underpinned by several drivers, such as the upcoming SiriHub2 token launch, robust returns from the X-NUCTECH Fund (a gain of 39.1%), market leadership in depositary receipt (DR) brokerage, and a resilient lending business that continues to outperform expectations, said Varangkana Artkarasatapon, managing director of XPG.

“Although 2025 has been a challenging year globally and domestically, XSpring continues to demonstrate resilient growth in a demanding landscape,” she said. “We’ve maintained steady progress by offering products and services that meet the needs of both corporate clients seeking capital and investors pursuing financial security.”

In the first half of 2025, XPG reported 463 million baht in revenue and 89.6 million baht in net profit, keeping the company on track to meet its full-year targets.

In the second half, XPG expects to capitalise on improving sentiment in the Thai capital market, increasing demand for wealth management products, and growing activity in both the fund management and digital asset segments.

Digital asset subsidiary XSpring Digital is preparing to launch the SiriHub2 token, backed by the Siri Campus office complex, valued at more than 2.5 billion baht, with Sansiri Plc (BBB+) as the sole tenant. The token offers a fixed annual return of 6% for three years, with full capital repayment at maturity.

The public offering is scheduled for November, with tokens priced at 10 baht each and a minimum subscription amount of 1,000 baht.

Meanwhile, XSpring Asset Management delivered a strong performance, backed by its X-NUCTECH Fund that invests in nuclear energy and uranium, posting a 39.1% return for the year as of Oct 29.

On the brokerage front, Krungthai XSpring Securities continues to dominate Thailand’s DR market with a 20% market share, bolstered by its “DR Night Desk” that enables real-time trading in US and European markets from 7pm to 3am.

The lending division also remains a major growth driver amid tightening credit conditions in the banking sector. XSpring provides flexible financing solutions for small enterprises and high-potential businesses through an integrated ecosystem linking investment banking, digital assets, fund management and brokerage services.

Given the outlook for 2026, XPG said it plans to expand its integrated financial ecosystem across six areas: investment banking, brokerage and digital assets, lending, investment, wealth management, and distressed-asset management.

The company’s NPL management arm oversees 4 billion baht in assets, while its lending portfolio totals 4.5 billion baht.

In 2026, XPG expects its revenue to grow in line with its historical average of 10-20% annually, supported by continued business expansion and new financial innovations.