Category: The Bangkok Post

Rising aviation service fees in Thailand, including airport charges and the proposed 300-baht tourism tax, could potentially hinder airlines already posting thin profit margins, derailing efforts to restore tourism to pre-pandemic levels, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Sheldon Hee, regional vice-president of Asia-Pacific at IATA, said Thailand is expecting many aviation charges either this year or in coming years, based on recent discussions with aviation stakeholders and Thai carrier members.

These include enforcing the 300-baht tourism tax, Airports of Thailand’s (AOT) plan to raise the passenger service charge from 730 baht per person, and the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand’s (CAAT) proposal to hike international travel charges from 15 baht per person.

Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd is also considering increasing air navigation charges for airlines, while the Immigration Bureau is mulling higher overtime aircraft inspection fees, he said.

“These charges could potentially increase costs for passengers visiting Thailand at a time when tourism seems to be weakening,” said Mr Hee.

Foreign arrivals to Thailand in 2025 total more than 25 million thus far, contracting over 7% year-on-year.

Airline profits remain low, as IATA forecasts a net margin of only 1.9%, or US$2.6 per passenger, in Asia-Pacific this year.

He said some of the charges could be passed on directly to travellers, or applied to airline operations, making it more difficult for the airlines to expand sustainably.

Thailand has historically attracted large numbers of leisure tourists, as well as price-sensitive customers, travelling on both low-cost and full-service carriers.

While the government has said it wants to target premium, high-spending travellers, if the goal is to restore tourism to pre-pandemic levels, volume and revenue needs to be balanced, said Mr Hee.

IATA is calling for stronger coordination between stakeholders and airlines so changes would not immediately create a burden on the industry, he said.

Commercial aviation posted a backlog of more than 17,000 jets in 2024, a record high, compared with 13,000 planes in 2019, according to the trade group. This means new aircraft deliveries could come well into the decade of the 2030s.

IATA data for August indicates international passenger market demand for Asia-Pacific airlines grew 9.8% year-on-year.

The capacity growth rate almost caught up, rising 9.5% year-on-year with a load factor of 85.1%.

Regarding the CAAT plan to eliminate the aircraft age limit to ease plane shortages, Mr Hee said an aircraft’s age profile should not trigger safety concerns, as long as it is well maintained and complies with international safety standards.

Last week, Deputy Prime Minister Thamanat Prompow said he would negotiate with AOT to reduce aircraft landing and parking fees at its six airports in order to boost international flights.

According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the country expects 80 new international routes in the fourth quarter from across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the US.

Under the “Thailand Summer Blast” stimulus, Thailand is expected to receive 731 chartered flights from China, including Macau, noted the TAT.

OWNDAYS (Thailand) Co., Ltd., the leading Japanese eyewear retailer, celebrates its 10th anniversary in Thailand with a grand event titled ‘OWNDAYS THAILAND 10th ANNIVERSARY – THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OVER THE YEARS.’ The celebration highlights the brand’s remarkable journey from humble beginnings to nationwide success under the concept ‘From Seed to Success – A Decade of Vision.’ This theme reflects OWNDAYS’ commitment to transforming the eyewear shopping experience in Thailand – making it simple, transparent, and stylish. Within just a decade, OWNDAYS has become a market leader and a beloved brand among the new generation.

To express gratitude for a decade of customer support, OWNDAYS unveils a special anniversary collection themed ‘Every Day is a Blessing,’ inspired by Lord Ganesha – symbolising new beginnings, wisdom, and success. The collection features six exclusive designs, accompanied by a series of customer activities from 16-19 October 2025 at Fashion Hall, 1st Floor, Siam Paragon.

A Journey of Growth: From Optical Store to Fashion Brand

OWNDAYS entered the Thai market in 2015, when the eyewear industry was still traditional customers often waited days for their glasses and faced complex pricing structures. The brand revolutionised the experience by introducing ‘glasses ready in 20 minutes,’ clear and inclusive pricing with no hidden lens fees, and modern designs to suit every lifestyle.

By positioning its stores in shopping malls and community spaces with interiors resembling fashion boutiques rather than optical clinics, OWNDAYS quickly resonated with consumers. It has since evolved into an ‘Everyday Eyewear Brand’ recognised by young customers for its fashionable, accessible, and speedy service.

Mr Evan Woo, Managing Director of OWNDAYS (Thailand) Co., Ltd., said: ‘Over the past decade, OWNDAYS has become more than just an eyewear store. It’s a brand that inspires people to ‘OWN your DAYS’ to live life in their own way. We believe success comes from continuously listening to our customers and adapting to the ever-changing market.’

Marketing and Brand Strategy for the New Generation

OWNDAYS has positioned itself as a Fashion and Lifestyle Brand, merging functionality and fashion. Its eyewear is not just for vision correction it is a form of self-expression. The brand launches new collections monthly, ranging from essentials to collaborations with well-known fashion labels and pop culture icons such as Kuromi and Toy Story.

In marketing, OWNDAYS engages consumers through digital-first storytelling on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook – creating fun, relatable, and shareable content such as how-to videos for choosing frames by face shape or humorous memes.

The appointment of Mario Maurer as brand ambassador reinforces its image as a modern, friendly, and beloved brand across generations. This partnership has expanded through viral campaigns and interactive online activities, strengthening brand awareness and connection with young audiences.

A New Decade of Growth and Expansion

Following consistent double-digit growth in 2024, OWNDAYS aims to expand to over 100 stores nationwide within the next 3-5 years. The company will enhance customer experiences through an Omnichannel Experience seamlessly linking online and offline shopping for example, selecting frames online and collecting them in-store.

Future expansion plans also include entry into neighbouring CLMV markets (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam), where consumer behaviour mirrors Thailand’s, and exploring collaborations in fashion and health-tech sectors.

Event Highlights: 16-19 October 2025 at Siam Paragon

OWNDAYS’ ‘Every Day is a Blessing’ collection – six designs inspired by Lord Ganesha – symbolises positive energy and confidence:

Gold – The Blessing of Wealth: Prosperity and fortune

Green – The Blessing of Creative Beginnings: Innovation and new ventures

Red – The Blessing of Might and Majesty: Power and the removal of obstacles

Purple – The Blessing of Great Compassion: Kindness and success

Blue – The Blessing of Fulfilled Success: Achievement of goals and ambitions

White – The Blessing of Rhetoric: Eloquence and effective communication

Mr Woo added: ‘We want this collection to symbolise new beginnings – for both our brand and our customers – reminding everyone that each day is an opportunity to see the world more clearly and move forward with confidence.’

Exclusive Activities Throughout the Celebration

Opening Showcase (16 October, 17:00-19:00): Featuring a contemporary dance performance ‘GRAIN TO GROWTH’ symbolising the power of growth, with appearances by Anntonia Porsild, Miss Universe Thailand 2023, and Mario Maurer, OWNDAYS Brand Ambassador.

Special Promotion: 10% discount on all frames with lenses or THB 1,000 off premium lenses.

Exclusive Giveaways and Activities: Free chocolates, Lucky Zen Garden Workshop, Face Analysis, Tarot Reading, and Personality Tests throughout the event.

Special Talk (19 October, 16:00-17:00): ‘Thai Beliefs in Lord Ganesha’ by Note Sarun Khungbunpot and Tor Jitraphan Hajjavanija.

This milestone marks another step forward for OWNDAYS Thailand in spreading inspiration, confidence, and heartfelt gratitude to all customers who have grown with the brand over the past decade.

The Thai government plans to launch the second phase of its “co-payment” consumer subsidy scheme in January, a government spokesperson said on Monday, as the government tries to boost a struggling economy.

The size of the next phase has not been decided yet but will be financed from the 2026 fiscal budget, Siripong Angkasakulkiat told a news conference.

The first phase of the scheme, worth 44 billion baht ($1.34 billion) and covering about 20 million people, was fully subscribed on the first day of registration on Monday, he said.

The scheme is among a series of government measures aimed at lifting economic growth above 2.2% this year. On Tuesday, the cabinet will consider new incentives to boost domestic tourism, including tax deductions.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s government has limited time to implement its measures, with the premier planning to dissolve parliament by the end of January with a general election to be held in March or early April.

We are pleased to announce that Mr Martin Liebenow has joined our team as Head of Tax at Luther Law Firm (Thailand) Co., Ltd. on 1 October 2025.

Mr Martin Liebenow brings 25 years of taxation experience. He is a Certified German Tax Consultant (Steuerberater), who started his career as German tax officer with the German Tax Authorities. He then moved to the private sector, holding management positions in the tax teams of large international audit firms in Germany and in Thailand for many years.

Areas of practice:

His experience includes advising international companies and multinational groups, of all industries and all sizes, operating both in and outside Thailand,

Thai tax, international tax and German tax issues, as well as tax structuring and strategies,

M and A tax and cross-border tax structuring and optimisation,

Transfer Pricing regulations and Transfer Pricing documentation requirements,

Expatriates and global mobility programs of multinational groups,

Expatriates personal income tax issues, assignments and payroll compliance,

All relevant tax compliance services for corporates,

Support during tax audits by the Thai Tax Authorities

What this means for you:

Thanks to his experience in taxation across geographies and industries, Mr. Martin Liebenow will help strengthen Luther’s commitment to providing the best tax-related consulting services, offering a thorough understanding of the requirements and regulations in the various international markets.

To schedule an introductory meeting or call, or to discuss a current tax matter, please contact Mr Martin Liebenow at martin.liebenow@luther-lawfirm.com or on +66 6 295 6255.

We look forward to working with you.

Luther Law Firm (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

A nasty drama is playing out online over comments by Senator Angkhana Neelapaijit, a former member of the National Human Rights Commission, amid the atmosphere of mutual distrust caused by the border conflict.

Her comments have upset many, particularly the so-called ultra-nationalists who accused her of being unpatriotic — or a Thai national with a Cambodian heart. On the opposite side, human rights groups and some media outlets are rallying behind her, praising the senator as heroic and courageous.

Senator Angkhana spoke out on the conflict on July 23, during the five-day skirmish between Thailand and Cambodia. Recently, unfriendly types in the media and some ultra-nationalists have dug into her social media posts to form narratives against her.

In that context, it might be constructive to look at what she actually said. On July 23, Senator Angkhana posted a comment on Facebook, condemning the laying of landmines in the Chong An Ma area of Ubon Ratchathani province and demanding Cambodia adhere to principle of human rights and peaceful means to resolve any conflict with Thailand. This comment was useful and fair enough.

On July 24, Cambodian missiles and artillery shells landed on Thai civilian spots including hospitals, a convenience store, a petrol station and houses in some northeastern border provinces, killing Thai civilians, including a child, and injuring many others.

Senator Angkhana criticised not the attacks, but the Thai army, for blocking the public’s access to information. It had sought people’s cooperation not to disseminate information which may cause public confusion or exacerbate the situation.

Her comment seemed out of touch with reality on the ground and out of place. Critics asked where she was when Cambodian bombs killed and maimed Thai civilians and destroyed their properties, including a hospital, which are traditionally protected by international laws during wars. How could she have missed this opportunity to issue a strongly-worded statement against Cambodia?

Instead, she chose to comment on a side issue — the army’s blocking the public’s right of access to information. Didn’t she realise that, during a war or armed conflict, information censorship is a widely accepted practice for security reasons?

She kept her silence on the conflict until July 28 when a peace agreement, brokered by Malaysia and witnessed by the US and China, was signed between Thailand and Cambodia in Kuala Lumpur. She posted urging both sides to observe the peace deal, exercise restraint towards provocation and give victims access to humanitarian aid, medication and compensation.

But that belated gesture does not clear the question marks and suspicions that she was selective in commenting on human rights issues. Her stance was interpreted by ultra-patriotic groups as favouring Cambodia.

Fortunately for her, sentiment against her was not strong enough at that time, perhaps, because her comment was not widely shared.

On July 31, she wrote another post, criticising Sappasitthiprasong Hospital for its refusal to accept all Cambodian patients, claiming this was an act of discrimination and against international human rights law. Again, that is a fair and productive comment.

On Aug 1, Senator Angkhana posted a comment defending the Cambodian Defence Ministry’s spokeswoman, Maj-Gen Maly Socheata, who had come under Thai criticism.

The senator claimed she was merely performing her duty, despite her assiduous attempts to spread fake news against Thailand during the conflict.

She also said Maj-Gen Maly, as a woman, should not be degraded or dehumanised through the use of AI technology. Fair enough.

On Aug 8, the human rights activist posted a comment, criticising the Thai army’s appointment of local celebrity, Panadda Wongphudee, for help dealing with Maj-Gen Maly’s fake news campaign, warning this may cause trouble and may contradict the role of the Thai Foreign Ministry.

Later, on Aug 13, she expressed her concerns about a report that a Senate committee had suggested the government cut education funds for Cambodian children studying at schools in Thailand. That concern is justified and praiseworthy given the fact that children are not parties to the conflict and should not be affected.

On Aug 28, she wrote another post, expressing concern over the fate of a 13-year-old Cambodian student detained at a police station, awaiting his deportation to Cambodia. Detaining a boy simply because he is an illegal immigrant is shameful, according to Angkhana, which is a commendable stance on her part.

A key moment came when a reporter asked why she remained silent over Thai civilian casualties, including a child, from Cambodian missile attacks. She was quoted to have said Thailand’s F-16 fighter jets had bombed Cambodia, killing many Cambodian soldiers.

Such a remark by a human rights advocate of her calibre is simply childish. How can civilian casualties be compared to the deaths of soldiers? Military installations and troops who pose a serious threat during wartime are considered a legitimate target while civilians and hospitals are not.

But what touched the nerve of Thai nationalists the most was her recent post, sharing a complaint by Keo Ramy, chairman of the Cambodian Human Rights Commission, to the UNHCR about the Thai use of powerful loudspeakers to blast ghostly sounds and the sounds of aircraft engines towards Cambodian civilians living in Sa Kaeo province.

Influencer Guntouch “Gun Jompalang” Pongpaiboonwet has been broadcasting the sounds from large speakers and sound trucks he set up in the border area, where he has been waging a nationalistic campaign against Cambodia, much to the delight of his fan club.

Senator Angkhana, however, claimed the use of sound as a weapon against Cambodian civilians may constitute a form of psychological torture under the CAT Convention, and Thaland’s image may suffer on the global stage.

She asked why the army let Gun Jompalang broadcast the sounds in such a flashpoint area along border, which is under martial law. Her specific comments against the influencer provoked many commentators to pour scorn on her, calling her unpatriotic. Needless to say, Gun Jompalang joined in, asking where she was when the bombs dropped.

Some organised an online campaign to strip her of her senatorial status. Others suggested she better spend her time looking for her husband Somchai, victim of an enforced disappearance over two decades ago. Unfortunately, her critics did not ask why the army permitted such an ultra-nationalistic campaign from the border area when Thai and Cambodia are trying to make peace talks work.

Such cruel and inhumane criticism is unacceptable and irrelevant to the context. She was subject to a witch hunt, punished for simply expressing a different opinion.

But the drama over the border conflict should, at least, serve as a lesson for Senator Angkhana and her ilk about their roles and narratives. As a human rights activist, she should be more balanced in expressing her views on such sensitive issues.

Regardless of public perception of Senator Angkhana, the hate speeches against her must stop. Any constructive criticism can only come from those with a cool head, an open heart and goodwill.

A hospital in Krabi province registered a criminal complaint with police on Monday seeking legal action against a driver who obstructed an ambulance, possibly contributing to the death of the male patient being transported.

Lawyers for Plai Phraya Hospital in Plai Phraya district filed the police complaint.

They accused the man of obstructing hospital staff performing their duty, and offending officials, Thairath Online reported.

The name of the driver was not disclosed. He worked for Charoen Pokphand Foods Plc, until the company sacked him after the incident on Thursday night.

Plai Phraya police chief Pol Col Narong Laksanawimol said all medical staff on duty that night, including doctors, would be asked to give testimony so investigators could fully determine the circumstances surrounding the death of the patient, Somkhuan Panich.

The driver would later be summonsed to hear the charges against him.

On Thursday night, hospital staff could not promptly transfer Somkhuan, 69, who was in critical condition after an acute myocardial infarction, or heart attack, and respiratory failure, to Krabi Hospital in Muang district.

They could not manoeuvre him in through the rear door of the ambulance because the man’s pickup truck was parked so closely behind it outside the hospital entrance. The man was at first reluctant to move his vehicle, causing even greater delay.

Somkhuan was later pronounced dead. It was still unclear whether he died en route or at Krabi Hospital.

The dead man’s daughter, Pattaraporn, told Thairath Online she met with police again on Monday, as a witness, to give her account and thanked the hospital for filing legal action, on behalf of her family.

The accused pickup driver had not contacted her or her family since the incident, she said. Justice would be left in the hands of the police.

The driver could be fined up to 20,000 baht and/or imprisoned for 1 year on each of the two charges if found guilty.

As this year marks the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, AORTA theatre troupe in collaboration with RCB Experimental Art Lab is staging Pride And Prejudice: In Her Room, a romcom adaptation of the English author’s Pride And Prejudice.

This work unfolds within the experimental arts space at RCB Forum, 2nd floor of River City Bangkok, Charoen Krung 24, every Friday to Sunday, starting this Friday and running until to Nov 16. Showtime is 7pm, plus a 1pm matinee on Saturdays and Sundays.

Austen was a celebrated author renowned for her sharp wit and singular voice. Her timeless novel Pride And Prejudice captures the lives, loves and aspirations of women in 19th-century English society with humour, irony and enduring romance. The beloved masterpiece has been reimagined time and again through films, series and countless creative interpretations across the globe.

This time, AORTA’s director and playwright Aim-ei Polpitak reimagines the story of the six Bennet women, placing them within the world of 2025. Their lives unfold within the intimate setting of a single room — a space that becomes a mirror of negotiation, longing and struggle in a world that remains beyond their control — whether in the past or the present.

The play invites audiences to breathe alongside these six characters in an atmosphere of warmth laced with Austen’s signature wit for almost two hours. Experience their love, hopes and choices — moments that will make you laugh, move your heart and perhaps bring tears to your eyes.

The stage design, crafted by Norse with furniture by Hay, evokes a contemporary aesthetic intertwined with the classical spirit of Austen, bridging timeless sensibilities with the truths of today’s world.

The performance is presented in Thai, with no English surtitles provided. Tickets cost 900 baht.

The energy minister on Monday ordered a reduction in pump prices of 50 satang per litre for diesel and 30 satang for all kinds of petrol, effective from 5am Tuesday.

Auttapol Rerkpiboon said had ordered the board of the state Oil Fuel Fund to make the reduction to help reduce the cost of living and stimulate the grassroots economy.

The price of standard diesel will fall from 31.44 baht to 30.94 baht per litre. Retailers will decide whether to apply the cut to premium diesel.

On Monday retail petrol prices ranged from 27.89 to 49.84 baht per litre in Bangkok.

Prices are slightly higher in provinces outside the Bangkok area.

The filling of the massive sinkhole on Samsen Road in Bangkok’s Dusit district has been completed, paving the way for the demolition of the damaged Samsen police station, Bangkok’s governor said.

Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said on Monday at the sinkhole site that 1,700 cubic metres of crushed stone had been levelled over the sand-filled sinkhole, which now appeared stable enough for people to walk on. Nearby structures, including police flats, Vajira Hospital and nearby commercial buildings, showed no movement or additional cracking, except for the Samsen police station, he said.

The next step, the governor added, would be the demolition of the Samsen police station followed by road reconstruction. The demolition was expected to take about four days. Because the station’s floors were built using the post-tension technique, the work must be done with great care to prevent the slings from snapping, he said.

Mr Chadchart noted that no date had been set yet for the reopening of Samsen Road.

He said the project would also involve restoring subway tunnels beneath the road and reconstructing underground utilities, including water mains and sewers. All work would proceed cautiously with safety as the top priority.

The sinkhole, which appeared on Sept 24 on Samsen Road in Dusit district, formed above an underground railway station being built for the Mass Rapid Transit Authority’s (MRTA) Purple Line extension. It initially measured about 30 metres wide, 30 metres long and 20 metres deep.

The state-run MRTA attributed the incident to the area’s water-saturated, soft soil, which cracked and flowed into the tunnels and the under-construction Vajira Hospital station on the Purple Line.

A relentless surge in the price of gold is delivering windfalls across emerging markets, boosting investor confidence in countries that mine and buy the metal.

In South Africa, home to the world’s deepest gold mines, stocks are on track for the best year in two decades, with shares of miners like Sibanye Stillwater Ltd, AngloGold Ashanti Plc and Gold Fields Ltd tripling in value. The credit rating of Ghana, Africa’s top gold producer, has been upgraded by Moody’s Ratings. Emerging-market countries rank among the biggest buyers of bullion, boosting national coffers.

For money managers in emerging markets, gold’s surge is giving them another reason to stay bullish. By fanning a wealth effect for bullion producers and buyers alike, valuable gold holdings are giving investors more conviction to buy. In a report earlier this month, Goldman Sachs Group Inc strategists listed South Africa’s mining strength as a top reason it sees gains ahead for the country’s bonds and stocks.

‘The rally in gold is beneficial for a small group of countries in emerging markets such as Uzbekistan, Ghana and South Africa,’ said Daniel Wood, a portfolio manager at William Blair Investment Management. ‘The wider story of the rising gold price is that investors are increasingly looking for alternative investments away from the more traditional developed market currencies, particularly the US dollar.’

Wood said he’s bullish on Uzbekistan’s currency because the country is both a major bullion producer and holds substantial reserves. He added that soaring metal prices are part of the reason why South Africa’s markets are having such a historic year.

South Africa’s FTSE/JSE Africa All Shares Index has gained more than 30% in 2025. The rand is near a one-year high, and the 10-year government bond yield recently fell below 9% for the first time in more than seven years. Slowing inflation that’s allowed the country’s central bank to cut interest rates is also boosting market sentiment.

All in all, it’s a dramatic turnaround for a country that has struggled to attract investors for years because of political turmoil and power shortages that sapped economic growth.

Another country that’s benefiting from the gold rally is Ghana. After enduring an economic crisis in 2022 that caused it to default on its debt, the nation has been on a path to recovery under new President John Mahama. The cedi has strengthened about 38% this year, the biggest increase globally.

Other investors said they’re watching countries like Poland, Turkey and Kazakhstan, which have all been adding to their gold reserves. Alexis de Mones, a fixed-income portfolio manager at Ashmore Group Plc, said that while the trend is generally positive, investors shouldn’t read too much into it.

‘Those countries that have a greater share of gold in their reserves will also look better, but one should not necessarily look at pricing effects as a source of credit strength,’ he said.

The bigger driver for emerging markets is the fact that higher gold prices are coming at a time when the dollar is weak and financial conditions are broadly easing, de Mones added. That’s a view echoed by Ning Sun, a senior emerging-markets strategist at State Street Markets in Boston.

She said rising gold prices are usually part of a broad move that drags down anything risky. But in this case, given dollar weakness and nervousness about US economic policy, that relationship has flipped. And now, emerging markets are turning out to be a winner.

‘The rally does benefit emerging markets more than developed markets,’ she said. ‘Emerging markets not only produce gold, they also hoard the metal.’