Category: The Bangkok Post

After three months of extreme hostility, with border clashes resulting in a few dozen deaths, Thailand and Cambodia finally agreed to a peace deal brokered by US President Donald Trump.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian leader Hun Manet signed a peace statement on Oct 26. After the signing ceremony, witnessed by Mr Trump and the Malaysian leader in Kuala Lumpur, they attended a bilateral talk at a sideline event to the Asean meeting in the city.

It’s just a start, but this is a step in the right direction.

Preceding the statement signing, Cambodia had agreed to comply with Thailand’s four conditions: the withdrawal of heavy weaponry, landmine clearance, suppression of cross-border crime, and border management with regard to Thai territory in Nong Chan and Nong Ya Kaeo in Sa Kaeo’s Khok Sung district.

For the first time, the Thai prime minister conceded that the entire Nong Chan village may not belong solely to Thailand, as previously claimed by ultra-nationalist elements.

There are some small areas belonging to Cambodia that Thais may have unlawfully occupied, and both sides agreed to work out a resolution under the principle of fairness, which is a positive move.

More importantly, major progress was made by the Regional Border Committee (RBC) on the withdrawal of heavy weaponry and the adjustment of troop deployment, with a clear action plan, along the border under the jurisdiction of Thailand’s second army region command and Cambodia’s 4th Military Region.

The two armies have set today as D-Day, to be followed by a three-phase operation starting with the immediate withdrawal of multiple rocket launch systems, and the removal of all artillery units, both towed and self-propelled, up to 155mm calibre on Nov 22, before the final withdrawal of armoured vehicles and tanks on Dec 13.

Now that the hostilities have been eased, both sides have time to calculate their losses, not only in terms of casualties, but also the enormous economic impact, which is disproportionate to the size of the overlapping claimed areas along the nearly 800-kilometre boundary line.

There is also the opportunity loss for both sides to reflect on, such as the exodus of Cambodian workers, as bilateral relations turned sour. Now it’s time to explore ways of mending fences further, such as normalising diplomatic ties.

Despite the thawing ties at the government-to-government level, it should be noted that hostile sentiment between the peoples of the two countries — a result of propaganda and hate campaigns, particularly via media influencers — remains strong.

This is a tough job for those concerned, but they must work on it. The state may start with the Digital Economy and Society Ministry, in particular, by stepping up efforts to monitor harmful content and holding irresponsible netizens to account. The ministry should seek cooperation from its Cambodian counterpart to do the same.

There should be more investment in public education to tackle racism among citizens. We should not hate anyone merely because they live on the other side of a border.

It will take time and effort to rebuild people-to-people ties, but as the two countries must learn to get along, it will be worth it in the end.

The wife of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul apologised on Saturday for asking reporters why they were being so ‘mean’ to her husband.

Thananon Niramit, 32, said via Instagram on Saturday that she had absolutely no intention to threaten reporters or devalue the work of the media.

The issue was raised by People’s Party MP Pukkamon Nunarnan, and many people agreed with her that the behaviour of Ms Thananon could be considered as threatening to reporters who were doing their duty.

The brief encounter happened on Oct 28 when Prime Minister Anutin arrived at Don Mueang Airport after his trip in Malaysia.

He stopped to speak to the reporters waiting there for a moment, with questions concerning a Thai-Cambodian issue, agreements on critical minerals and trade frameworks, and allegations that a coalition MP received money from scammers. He answered some of them and ended the session due to his rushed schedule.

‘Why are you so mean to the prime minister? Next time I will remember. . This is too much,’ Ms Thananon said as she greeted the media crew with a wai and a smile before leaving.

The scene was recorded and shared online.

‘It was meant as a playful remark, but I understand it might be perceived as inappropriate or made some feel uncomfortable,’ Ms Thananon wrote on her Instagram. ‘I had absolutely no intention to threaten or devalue the work of the media.

‘I truly accept the feedback and suggestions from everyone and assure to always hold respect for the press,’ she said.

With only 32 million foreign tourist arrivals projected for this year, the Association of Thai Travel Agents (Atta) is urging the government to offer more flight promotions, while the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) plans to request “Quick Win” stimulus measures such as tax incentives for organisers of meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (Mice) events.

Atta president Thanapol Cheewarattanaporn said the association forecasts only 32 million foreign arrivals this year, down from 35.5 million in 2024.

The Chinese market may generate 4.6 million arrivals, less than the revised target of 5 million set by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), as daily Chinese arrivals tally only 10,000 at the moment.

He said arrivals from Malaysia and South Korea might reach 4.5 million and 1.5 million, respectively, below the 4.9 million and 1.8 million recorded in 2024. Indian and Russian markets are expected to post the same numbers as last year at 2.2 million and 1.6 million, respectively.

Mr Thanapol said Atta will soon propose to the TAT an additional tourism stimulus including flight promotions, either via heavy discounts or free tickets, depending on the agency’s budget.

Regarding mourning for Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the late Queen Mother, he said the association already informed foreign tourists they can participate in major events as usual, as organisers have adjusted only selected activities.

Most operators remain upbeat on growth next year, banking on large international events such as a group of 13,000 people from Amway China and the IMF-World Bank meeting scheduled for Thailand, which is projected to have more than 10,000 participants, said Mr Thanapol.

URGENT RELIEF

TCEB discussed Quick Win measures yesterday with seven tourism and Mice organisations, including the Thai Hotels Association (THA) and the Thai Incentive and Convention Association (Tica).

TCEB president Supawan Teerarat said the bureau is scheduled to meet Napintorn Srisunpang, the prime minister’s office minister, to submit proposals from private operators next week.

The proposals include tax incentives or soft loans for the Mice sector, both organisers and venue operators, as their revenue has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, she said.

The government should also subsidise new events over the coming months, and encourage public organisations to hold meetings in regional destinations, said Mrs Supawan.

Meetings and events in the coming months will proceed as planned, except for new entertainment events and concerts, which might be postponed until after the mourning period, she said.

Supawan Tanomkieatipume, honorary president of THA, said the Finance Ministry should increase the meeting budget for the public sector and organisations, which has not changed in more than a decade, resulting in a lack of consideration of current accommodation costs. For instance, hotel spending is capped at 1,200 baht a night, which is unreasonable given surging living costs, she said.

Prachoom Tantiprasertsuk, president of Tica, said the government could use a small budget to hold hybrid or online trade shows to draw new events and meeting groups to Thailand, targeting markets with high growth rates such as India and the Middle East.

The rice export outlook for 2026 appears subdued due to several negative factors, as exporters expect to ship 7.5 million tonnes of rice next year.

Charoen Laothamatas, president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, said the production of in-season rice for 2025/26 is expected to reach 24 million tonnes. Rice exports this year as of Oct 27 totalled 6.4 million tonnes, a 22% year-on-year decline.

He said white rice exports significantly decreased due to the resumption of exports by India, an increased global rice supply and import halts by major buyers such as Indonesia and the Philippines.

Exports of Thai white rice fell by 43% to 2.9 million tonnes from January to Oct 27, and domestic prices have continually decreased.

However, shipments of Thai hom mali rice have performed well, exceeding 1.49 million tonnes, an 11% year-on-year increase. The major importers were the US, Hong Kong and Canada.

Mr Charoen said total rice exports could reach nearly 8 million tonnes this year, surpassing the initial target of 7.5 million tonnes.

The association maintains its export target for next year at 7.5 million tonnes, including 3.5 million tonnes of white rice, 1.7 million tonnes of hom mali rice, 1.4 million tonnes of parboiled rice, 600,000 tonnes of Thai fragrant rice and 300,000 tonnes of sticky rice.

He said several challenges lie ahead for Thai rice exports, including the need to develop new rice varieties to meet global demand, production and logistics costs, baht volatility and government support.

“The price subsidy does not address longer-term issues,” said Mr Charoen.

“The government has allocated more than 100 billion baht for price subsidies annually, but this budget would be better spent on improving rice production, such as enhancing the irrigation system, developing eco-friendly rice plantations and planning marketing strategies that align with changing global trade regulations.”

Chookiat Ophaswongse, honorary president of the association, said Thai rice prices are expected to fall next year in line with the global market, potentially even lower than this year’s prices.

The main negative factor is India’s plan to release about 20 million tonnes of milled rice.

“Foreign traders projected white rice prices could fall to US$300 per tonne, marking a 30-year low. This means farmers might receive about 5,000 baht per tonne of unmilled rice,” he said.

However, lower prices for Thai white rice and parboiled rice have made them more competitive, opening new market opportunities, said Mr Chookiat.

The price for 5% Thai white rice ranges from $330-340 per tonne, while prices for Indian rice average $350, Pakistan’s grains are at $330-340 and Vietnam’s rice $360-370.

According to the US Department of Agriculture, India is projected to be the world’s top rice exporter in 2026 with a volume of 25 million tonnes, followed by Vietnam with 7.9 million tonnes and Thailand 7.2 million tonnes.

Another historical night has come to an end at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, about an hour from Manila — a 50-year anniversary show commemorating the famous “Thrilla in Manila.”

Thailand’s Kittisak Klinson (10-2-1, 6 KOs), 30, stepped into the ring against the grandson of boxing’s most iconic figure, Muhammad Ali. Half a century earlier, Ali faced Joe Frazier in Manila for the heavyweight championship of the world.

This time, it was the turn of a Thai fighter from Surat Thani province to make his mark, taking on Nico Ali Walsh in one of the event’s co-main attractions. The main event featured a WBC world title clash between South Africa’s Siyakholwa Kuse and Filipino champion Melvin Jerusalem.

Kittisak, a former amateur standout from the Thai Army camp and a former WBA Asia 154lb champion, entered the bout as the underdog. On paper, the matchup seemed designed for Ali to steal the spotlight on this anniversary show — but Kittisak had other plans.

From the opening bell, the Thai pressed forward, forcing the taller American onto the ropes and digging heavy shots to the body. Ali, 25, found his rhythm midway through the fight, firing sharp jabs and combinations in return.

The crowd roared as both fighters began to showboat, trading punches and taunts in the centre of the ring — the energy inside Araneta Coliseum electric as cheers echoed through the venue.

Kittisak’s pressure and physicality dictated much of the early action, but midway through the fight, he shifted strategy, relying more on a quick jab and well-timed counterpunches. Ali answered with crisp combinations and uppercuts as momentum swung back and forth.

After eight competitive rounds, both men believed they had done enough. When the final bell rang, anticipation filled the arena. The scorecards were announced: Noel Haduca 76-76, Eddie Nobleza 76-76, and Virgilio Garcia 77-75 — in favour of Kittisak. The fight ended in a majority draw.

In front of a packed crowd celebrating one of boxing’s most historic nights, the Surat Thani native flipped the script — turning what was meant to be a showcase for Ali Walsh into a statement for boxing in Thailand.

Many fans at ringside approached Kittisak afterward, saying they felt he had done enough to win clearly. On a night honouring The Greatest, it was a Thai fighter who wrote his own small piece of Manila history.

It’s difficult to escape the current online discourse on the balance of the Good Life and the growing debate over international schools. International schools were established in 1951, when International School Bangkok opened on the grounds of the US embassy to serve the children of American staff. Bangkok Patana School, Thailand’s first such British school, opened in 1957 to serve the growing expat community, along with Ruamrudee International School.

Then came the international school renaissance. NIST opened in 1992, followed by the beginning of the UK franchise model — Harrow, Shrewsbury and so on. The point is, international schools have long been present in Thailand. However, the craze surrounding them only began a few years ago.

The online frenzy surrounding the culture of international schools has expanded following the release of Netflix’s Everybody Loves Me When I’m Dead, a Thai film for the small screen starring Theeradej “Ken” Wongpuapun, a veteran actor and heartthrob who took a six-year hiatus from leading-man roles.

The general synopsis of the film follows Toh, a middle-aged bank employee who tries to steal from an unclaimed bank account of a deceased woman, to send his six-year-old daughter to an expensive international school. At home, he is constantly pressured by his wife to “invest in their child’s future”, through private hospital treatments, extracurricular activities, lessons and more, whilst battling the incoming AI and automation threat at work. When 30 million baht in an unclaimed bank account is seemingly his for the taking, Toh accidentally stumbles into the Pattaya underworld of mafia, gangs and shootouts — all for tuition fees.

The film may be a fast-paced action movie, but the basis of the whole thing is on-the-nose social commentary on the state of being in contemporary Thai society. Whilst Thailand may have housed a handful of international schools since the 50s, there’s no denying that a slew of internationally branded institutions have popped up over the past decade, notably so following the pandemic. Nowadays, some parents have to almost justify why they are opting to send their offspring to a Thai school.

Whilst international schools are a solid choice for many, given their focus on creative freedom, world-class facilities and a global curriculum that encourages greater individuality, it’s a conscious choice with an ongoing, expensive price tag. As the film points out, the costs go beyond tuition fees and creep into other aspects of your lifestyle, from the price of “fitting in” to the cost of extracurriculars.

International schools are now re-packaged as strong opportunities or a “head start” for the young generation, bundled in a glossy 500,000 baht to 1 million baht package. In Thailand, where we are experiencing a significant economic slowdown and stagnant growth, this demand will put considerable pressure on middle-class households.

The extent of demand also leads us to question the very basis of Thai curricula. How do we even go about tackling the foundation of Thai education? There are so many moving parts to tackle and reform within Thailand’s infrastructure. Still, education should be at the very top, given that this is about educating the future generation in a fast-paced world facing an incoming technological threat.

Thailand’s education landscape has shifted dramatically over the past couple of decades. When I graduated in 2009, there were only 30-40 students in my entire graduating class, but now, there are hundreds. The demand has risen, and so has competition.

Simply getting into school doesn’t mean the competition stops either. The grind continues, and at the end of the day, when does the system allow us to pause? The Good Life is about striving for the best, yes, but it’s also about taking a collective pause to see what is best for you.

Currently, there are a dozen schools scattered across Bangkok with high-profile openings slated for 2026. There are consultancies, test prep and college admissions services with high price tags awaiting you after acceptance. You either join the Tiger Moms or you quietly rebel against them. In an era where every decision or thought process is documented online, it’s easy to get caught up in the pressure to show up and perform.

The film’s ending shows that, most of the time it is not worth striving for what’s too far out of reach, especially at the expense of family and your own mental (and sometimes physical) well-being. The Good Life should also be about reverting to the basics, and whilst we’re not suggesting that you forego ambition altogether, every family’s reality is different. Let us strive to remember this when the group chat rings too loud.

The owner of Hong Thai herbal inhalants has called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to adopt a more constructive regulatory approach, urging the agency to support product development rather than rely solely on legal enforcement.

Teerapong Rabueathum, founder of Thai Herbal Hongthai Co Ltd, held a press conference on Friday to clarify that some of the company’s manufacturing sites were unlicensed.

His remarks followed a raid by Consumer Protection Police Division (CPPD) officers and the FDA on four unauthorised sites producing Hong Thai inhalants. More than 2.3 million items worth over 120 million baht were seized on Thursday.

The raid stemmed from an investigation into reports of microbial contamination in herbal inhaler products under the same brand, posing potential health risks to consumers.

CPPD police said they found evidence suggesting the products may have been secretly manufactured at sites not registered with the FDA.

Mr Teerapong said a surge in orders had exceeded the capacity of the company’s authorised factory, prompting the use of unauthorised facilities for bottle labelling. Herbal packing, he said, was still conducted at the licensed site.

He admitted the practice violated regulations and expressed regret, adding that a new factory in Samut Sakhon is under construction and will be inspected once completed.

Mr Teerapong criticised the FDA for failing to guide or support herbal producers, despite its public commitment to promoting the Thai herbal industry.

He urged the agency to reconsider its stance, saying Hong Thai has long struggled to maintain its reputation as a trusted Thai brand.

“FDA shouldn’t just use the law to crush us. It should share knowledge and help Thai herbal products adjust to international standards,” he said.

On the contamination issue, Mr Teerapong said the Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology (Tint) has offered to assist with microbial sterilisation of herbal ingredients in packaging bottles. All Hong Thai inhalants will now be sterilised by Tint, he added.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has made comprehensive preparations to accommodate the large number of people expected to pay their respects to the body of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother at the Grand Palace on Nov 9.

Thaiwut Khankaew, a deputy city clerk, attended a meeting at the command centre near Sanam Luang on Friday to inspect arrangements for those who will pay tribute before the royal portrait and sign the condolence book.

He said the preparations were mostly complete. Facilities such as waiting areas, restrooms, and food services have been arranged for up to 3,000 people within Sanam Luang and another 2,000 in the waiting area near the Na Phra Lan tunnel. There will be 70 lavatories available for public use.

These also take into account the tourists visiting the Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, with designated zones separating the two groups, Mr Thaiwut said.

The area near the Defence Ministry will be reserved for tourists. Should the number of mourners exceed expectations, more tents will be set up along Na Phra That Road in front of Thammasat University.

The BMA said it could comfortably accommodate around 10,000 people, Mr Thaiwut said.

He urged visitors to use public transport when travelling for the utmost convenience. Those arriving by boat will also find it easy to walk to the main command centre from the pier.

The Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) has confirmed a five-year extension with Dorna Sports to host the MotoGP World Championship until 2031.

SAT governor Gongsak Yodmani said on Friday that the renewal will be submitted to the cabinet for approval on Tuesday, marking another milestone in Thailand’s rise as a premier MotoGP venue.

“The renewal reaffirms Thailand’s commitment to maintaining its position among the world’s top MotoGP destinations,” Mr Gongsak said.

Sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), MotoGP is the pinnacle of international motorcycle racing.

Since debuting at Buriram’s Chang International Circuit in 2018, the Thailand Grand Prix has earned acclaim for its world-class standards and vibrant atmosphere.

Mr Gongsak said the event has generated an estimated 24 billion baht in economic value over six years, driven by tourism and local spending.

It has become a flagship of Thailand’s sports tourism policy, showcasing the country’s ability to host global events.

He noted Thailand’s unique role as season opener for the past two years — a powerful marketing position among the 22 circuits in 18 countries.

The renewed contract includes a modest hosting fee increase but remains competitive, reflecting Thailand’s strong international profile.

Despite still pending expected cabinet approval, preparations are already underway for the 2026 season opening weekend race event, scheduled for Feb 27 to Mar 1.

Ticket sales begin Nov 11 via All Ticket outlets and online.

The Bank of Thailand (BoT) will begin publicly reporting details of its foreign exchange intervention activities and international reserves next year, following a joint statement with the US Department of the Treasury aimed at enhancing transparency and policy coordination.

Chayawadee Chai-anant, assistant governor for corporate relations at the BoT, said on Tuesday that the move followed an agreement between the BoT and the US Treasury on exchange rate policy and data disclosure, as part of ongoing trade and financial discussions between the two sides.

“The central bank has consistently emphasised that its exchange rate management aims to curb excessive volatility in the baht to prevent undue impacts on businesses,” Ms Chayawadee said.

Under the joint statement, the BoT will report its foreign exchange intervention operations at least twice a year, with a one-quarter lag, while data on foreign exchange reserves will be published on a monthly basis. Both parties vowed not to manipulate exchange rates or the international monetary system for competitive advantage.

The US Treasury has signed similar agreements in recent months with Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan. In October, the US Treasury and Bank Negara Malaysia issued a joint statement outlining their commitment to transparent exchange rate policies. In September, the US and South Korea also agreed to strengthen communication and transparency in foreign exchange market developments.

In its June 2025 report, the US Treasury did not name any countries as currency manipulators, but nine major trading partners remain on its monitoring list.