Category: The Bangkok Post

Authorities are urging caution in northern and upper northeastern Thailand, where heavy rainfall and overflowing rivers remain likely over the next couple of days, despite Typhoon Bualoi having weakened into a strong low-pressure system.

The Thai Meteorological Department reported on Tuesday that Bualoi, now centred over northern Myanmar and Laos, is moving along the monsoon trough affecting upper northern Thailand.

The storm, combined with the strong southwest monsoon over the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, will continue to bring heavy rain.

Forecasters say high-risk provinces include Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Phayao, Nan, Phrae, Uttaradit, Sukhothai, Loei, Nong Khai, Bueng Kan and Udon Thani.

Conditions are expected to gradually ease after Thursday.

In Uttaradit, river embankments broke and floods swept through three districts – Nam Pat, Thong Saen Khan, and Tha Pla – around 2am on Tuesday.

Governor Sirivat Bupphacharoen called an emergency meeting, ordering evacuations and full assistance for residents.

The local Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office has also deployed boats and supplies, while highways near Ton Sak Yai National Park and the Sirikit Dam were closed because of landslides and power pole collapses.

Phu Soi Dao National Park has been temporarily closed due to heavy rain and landslides.

In Mae Hong Son, Mae Sariang district was hit hard. Flash floods from the overflowing Yuam River were reported to have damaged homes, farmland and bridges.

A 38-year-old woman died when a landslide buried her house.

Flooding was also reported in Baan Sob Harn at tambon Baan Kat, leaving some villages cut off.

Other flooded districts include Muang and Mae La Noi. The inundation impacted 36 villages in six sub-districts.

Local agencies, along with the military and volunteers, have set up relief kitchens and are delivering urgent aid.

In Phetchabun, flash floods struck Lom Sak and Lom Kao districts, submerging over 1,000 homes. Reservoirs also overflowed.

PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP), represented by Ms Sopitta Chotechuang (2nd right), Senior Vice President for Branding, Communications and Knowledge Intelligence Division, presented a sponsorship of 20 million baht to the Football Association of Thailand under the Patronage of His Majesty the King (FAT) for the second consecutive year. Receiving the contribution were Pol Gen Winai Thongsong (2nd left), Central Committee Member of FAT, and Mr Ekapol Polnavee (first from left), General Secretary of FAT. The sponsorship aims to strengthen the capabilities of Thai football players and sports personnel through initiatives such as hiring professional coaches, providing equipment, improving training facilities, and supporting both domestic and international competitions. The handover ceremony was held at the Energy Complex Building, Bangkok. This partnership is part of the memorandum of understanding to support national sports development in line with the government’s ‘One Sport, One State Enterprise Plus’ policy for 2024-2030, which promotes sport as a driver of Thailand’s soft power.

Fifty-eight percent of organisations across Thailand encountered cyberthreats powered by artificial intelligence (AI) in the past year, while 90% of organisations are already using AI in their security environment, according to a survey commissioned by Fortinet.

The 2025 IDC survey covered 550 IT and security leaders across 11 Asia-Pacific markets including Thailand between February and April 2025, with 88% of respondents from organisations with more than 250 employees who were directly involved in cybersecurity decision-making.

Supakorn Kungpisdan, country manager for Fortinet Thailand and Laos, said chief information security officers (CISOs) across Thailand are entering a more advanced phase of cybersecurity planning. They are finding that AI is not only augmenting defences, but also influencing how organisations structure teams, allocate budgets and prioritise threats.

According to Fortinet, AI is transforming cybersecurity on both sides of the battlefield.

Defenders are using it to automate threat detection, accelerate incident response and scale intelligence at unprecedented speed.

Attackers are harnessing AI to craft faster, stealthier and more adaptive threats, making the race between offence and defence more dynamic than ever, noted Fortinet.

According to the IDC study, 58% of organisations across Thailand report encountering AI-powered cyberthreats in the past year. Of those, 62% reported the increase doubled and 34% reported a threefold gain in threat volume.

These attacks are harder to detect and often exploit blind spots in visibility, governance and internal processes.

In contrast, more than 90% of organisations across Thailand are already using AI in their security environment.

Organisations are rapidly progressing from AI-powered detection to more advanced use cases such as automated response, predictive threat modelling, AI-driven incident response, AI-powered threat intelligence and behavioural analytics, according to Fortinet.

These top five use cases reflect how detection has become an essential requirement, while response, prediction and orchestration are now the next frontier.

Generative AI is also gaining traction, with adoption focused on light-touch tasks such as updating rules and policies.

However, trust in autonomous action remains limited. Use cases such as auto-remediation and guided remediation are not widely deployed, signalling we are still in the ‘co-pilot’ phase of adoption, noted the study.

Top 5 roles

Across Thailand, the top five cybersecurity roles in demand include security data scientists, threat intelligence analysts, AI security engineers, AI security researchers and AI-specific incident response professionals.

Cybersecurity budgets are rising, with 92% of Asia-Pacific organisations reporting an increase. However, the vast majority of these increases were modest, as 74% reported an uplift of less than 5% and only 18% saw increases between 5-10%. This suggests that while budgets are growing, spending remains focused on covering rising operational and talent costs, noted Fortinet.

The top five areas of investment over the next 12-18 months include identity security, network security, cyber-resilience and cloud-native application protection. This indicates a strategic shift from infrastructure-heavy spending towards more targeted, risk-centric priorities that reflect the evolving threat landscape.

Despite growing executive focus on cybersecurity, most teams remain under-resourced. Just 6% of staff are in internal IT, and only a fraction of those focus on security. Fewer than one in six organisations have a dedicated CISO, and only 6% have specialised security teams, according to Fortinet.

This lack of focus is hurting performance – over half of respondents report rising threats, tool overload and talent challenges, driving burnout and highlighting the need for smarter resourcing.

Logitech G, the global leader in gaming peripherals, made a powerful statement with the worldwide launch of its PLAY 2025 event, held at Hard Rock Cafe Bangkok on 18 September. The event showcased a full suite of next-generation gaming products, blending sleek design, high performance, and advanced technology to meet the needs of both competitive and casual gamers.

Among the highlights was the debut of the Logitech G PRO X SUPERLIGHT 2c, a wireless gaming mouse weighing just 51 grams. Despite its ultra-light build, it packs a punch with the HERO 2 sensor offering up to 44,000 DPI and 888 IPS speed. The LIGHTFORCE Hybrid Switches deliver crisp responsiveness, while support for 8kHz report rate and POWERPLAY wireless charging ensures up to 95 hours of uninterrupted gameplay.

Also introduced was the PRO X SUPERLIGHT 2SE, a refined version with a minimalist design and slightly heavier build at 60 grams. It retains the same high-end sensor and switch technology, and offers full customisation via Logitech G HUB software, including DPI settings, report rate, and button mapping. It’s compatible with Windows 10 and above via USB.

For keyboard enthusiasts, Logitech G launched the G515 RAPID TKL, a low-profile tenkeyless keyboard just 22mm thick. It features Analog Magnetic Switches supporting Rapid Trigger, Multipoint Action, and Key Priority. Users can fine-tune actuation from 0.1mm to 2.5mm for precision control. The durable PBT double-shot keycaps, metal frame, and LIGHTSYNC RGB lighting make it a standout choice for serious gamers.

The audio experience was elevated with the G321 LIGHTSPEED Wireless Gaming Headset, designed for long sessions with its lightweight 210g build and memory foam ear cups. It offers over 20 hours of battery life, a flip-to-mute boom mic with 16kHz clarity, and Bluetooth 5.2 support for mobile gaming and music. The 40mm drivers deliver immersive sound across all frequencies.

Racing fans were treated to the unveiling of R50 and RS PEDALS, bringing the precision of Direct Drive and realism of TRUEFORCE technology to the forefront. Inspired by McLaren’s racing DNA, these pedals are compatible with existing G Series gear and offer upgrade paths within the Racing Series.

The showstopper was the surprise reveal of the PRO X2 SUPERSTRIKE, a revolutionary wireless mouse designed specifically for esports. It introduces two groundbreaking features:

Hall Effect Switch + Rapid Trigger for ultra-precise clicks and movement

Haptic Feedback for immersive tactile response, making in-game actions feel more lifelike

Logitech G PLAY 2025 was more than a product launch-it reaffirmed the brand’s commitment to delivering a holistic gaming experience by integrating hardware, software, and inspiration to connect gamers worldwide.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul on Tuesday flew his private jet to the northeastern province of Loei to receive a donor’s organs that can be used to save at least seven patients.

According to the Public Relations Department, Mr Anutin arrived at Loei airport at 12.15pm to receive the organs from Loei Hospital.

Mr Anutin has been a volunteer pilot for the Thai Red Cross Society since 2014. The flight on Tuesday was his first volunteer mission since he became prime minister.

The organs came from a 19-year-old man who was a native of Chiang Khan district of Loei. He had been declared brain-dead after an accident.

The donated organs comprised a heart, liver, two kidneys, two eyes and a pancreas which can be used to save at least seven patients at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital in Bangkok.

The donor is the 20th organ donor from Loei and the 141st in Thailand.

As a leading force in Asean’s green transition, UOB Thailand has embedded sustainability into both its business and community agenda, aligned with its goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Its efforts earned recognition from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration as a waste management leader — a milestone that set the stage for an even greater ambition: empowering young Thais to drive change.

That belief inspired “Wonder Lab: Youth For A Greener Tomorrow”, a new platform inviting youth to turn ideas into projects that directly address environmental problems in their communities. Open to participants aged 15-25 nationwide, the inaugural year drew 453 applicants across 102 teams. Ten finalists were selected to develop their projects within one month before presenting their results at a showcase on Sept 13.

“Young people have the drive and imagination to shape their own future — what they need is space, resources and encouragement,” said Dhornratana Olanhankij, country function head of brand, media and communications at UOB Thailand. “Wonder Lab was designed not as a contest of ideas alone, but as a platform where participants are supported by mentors and empowered to act.”

The finalists’ projects demonstrated that environmental responsibility can be embedded into everyday life. They include:

Chan Koet Chak Ko Phai, Chan Loei Rak Lok developed a real-time app that helped schools cut food waste by 70% in one month.

6P boosted waste separation in schools by more than 300%.

Jungle Natural Team turned discarded pineapple leaves into biodegradable cat litter.

Nakhon Sawan Rak Sing Waet Lom wove recycled plastic into textiles and bags, blending innovation with local craft.

GreenCycle Crew repurposed plastic scraps into 3D printing filament.

The debut campaign has given digital natives future-ready skills, fostering creativity, critical thinking and observation. Participants also gained valuable lessons in teamwork, planning, systems thinking and public speaking — helping close gaps in crucial soft skills such as communication, adaptability, emotional intelligence and collaboration.

Other projects highlighted the breadth of young innovators’ interests, from tackling food waste to reimagining agricultural by-products. Together, the 10 projects illustrated how technology, education and cultural identity can advance sustainability.

Looking ahead, UOB plans to connect the programme with private-sector partners, civic groups and communities to scale up prototypes into wider social and environmental impact.

“UOB Wonder Lab is not just a community project,” Dhornratana said. “It is about walking alongside youth to co-create a sustainable future.”

Thai League 1 champions Buriram United take on South Korea’s FC Seoul in an AFC Champions League Elite away game on Tuesday.

FC Seoul drew their opener 1-1 with Japan’s Machida Zelvia while Buriram United came from behind to defeat Malaysian Johor Darul Ta’zim 2-1.

The South Korean club will not only have the home ground advantage but will also be backed by an unbeaten record against the Thunder Castle.

Buriram coach Osmar Loss told a news conference on Monday: “In the AFC Champions League Elite, every game is tough, and we have to play as an away team. We confirm that our target is to pick up at least a point from this game.”

Rabbits tame Port

Surachat Sareepim had a double as BG Pathum United defeated Port 2-0 in a Thai League 1 encounter at home on Sunday night.

Port wasted a big opportunity in the 33rd minute when Warit Choothong committed a foul on Brayan Perea in the penalty area but the Colombian forward’s strike from the spot was stopped by Pathum goalkeeper Saranon Anuin.

The Rabbits got their first goal in the 45+2 minute when Surachat Sareepim’s header sailed into the net. Surachat then beat an offside trap shortly after the break to make it 2-0 for the hosts.

In other games, hosts Ratchaburi lost 1-0 to Bangkok United and Nakhon Ratchasima were held 1-1 at home by Muang Thong United.

A climate change bill is key if Thailand is to achieve its commitment to greenhouse gas reductions and become a regional hub for carbon credits, according to the new Minister of Natural Resources and Environment.

Suchart Chomklin made the remarks during his speech at the 4th Thailand Climate Action Conference at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center over the weekend.

He said the Anutin Charnvirakul government is focused on climate change policies that align with the Paris Agreement to limit global warming.

He said that the increase in global temperature has been over 1.75 degrees Celsius (°C), well over the 1.5°C set by the Paris Agreement.

As a result, extreme climate patterns from severe drought and floods have been more frequent.

The government would respond with the adaptation and mitigation plans, including the establishment of an early warning system, he said.

To achieve the global commitment on Net Zero by 2050, the government, he added, this year would submit NDC3.0 (Nationally Determined Contributions) to the United Nations Development Programme.

The paper will focus on the issue of greenhouse gas emissions in five dimensions: energy, transport, industry, waste management and farming. All of these sectors must reduce greenhouse emissions by 40% by 2035.

“The climate change bill is expected to go through parliament this year or early next,” he said, adding that the bill would enhance policy mechanisms, greenhouse gas reduction ambitions, adaptation to climate change and financial mechanisms to support net zero.

Mr Suchart said that a carbon tax, a penalty imposed on polluters, state subsidies, and low interest rates for SMEs could be major financial incentives in reaching the net-zero goal.

The bill would help Thailand become a hub for carbon credits with an investment platform equipped to tackle climate change, he said.

A 21-year-old man set himself on fire at a bus stop and ran out into the traffic on Phahon Yothin Road in Bangkok on Tuesday, horrifying pedestrians and motorists.

The incident occurred around 10am at a bus stop in front of the Land Development Department office in Chatuchak district.

A surveilance camera recording showed the man, whose name has not been released, standing behind the bus stop and holding a large jar containing a liquid believed to be petrol.

He poured the liquid over his body before setting himself on fire with a lighter.

According to 3 Plus News, he walked around while on fire, terrifying two university students waiting for a bus, before running out onto the road and falling to the ground, underneath Senanikom BTS Station.

The sudden sight of his burning body startled motorists. One motorcyclist fell off his bike and was injured. He was taken to nearby Paolo Hospital along with the self-immolated man by emergency responders called to the scene.

A witness told police the man had a heated phone conversation with someone before setting himself ablaze. His mother said she learned her son had been having a problem with his girlfriend over the past few days.

His condition was not known.

Re: “Authoritarians’ brave new cities”, (Opinion, Sept 23).

I am reading the latest novel by David Baldacci (Strangers in Time), set in London during the Blitz.

He writes: “But., as even a casual observer of history could say with complete confidence, such one-man governing structures never ended well for anyone, not even the strongman. Humans make poor gods. We’re just not up to it.”

It seems to confirm the saying that power corrupts, but absolute power corrupts absolutely. USA, be warned?

Keith McCulloch

Sum of woes

Re: “Irrational rationale” and “Revise the numbers”, (PostBag, Sept 22).

I appreciate the feedback from S de Jong and Ian Dann. Yet, as a university teacher by trade, I teach my students that a good paper needs to pass the “so what?” test, and I don’t see their criticisms of my inexact arithmetic as passing the “so what?” test; especially in view of the fact that I have been upfront that I am dyslexic with numbers, but not letters.

Yet, to S de Jong’s point, let’s revise the numbers using his numbers.

Let’s take his upper figure of 44,000 baht spent per tourist and multiply 44,000 times 1.75 million on a calculator. I came up with a figure on Google (and I checked this five times due to my dyslexia) of 77 billion baht or $2.4 billion that is and/or shall be absent from the Thai economy in 2025. Please note I am using S de Jong’s numbers, and I openly ask non-dyslexic readers to rerun this math.

To close, while I’m dealing with numbers that even a CPA may struggle with, this is a whole lot of greenbacks going into someone else’s — cannabis stench free — tourism industry and, by the way, if I happen to take my young nephews and nieces on a tourist trip, we’re going to somewhere weed free; where good people are high on proper moral values and not funny mushrooms.

Jason A Jellison

Tailored tourism

Re: “Reviving the China market”, (BP, Sept 28).

Instead of focusing on increasing the sheer number of tourists, we should tailor different services for different target markets, offering superior value for money to each niche. Just counting heads is a sure way to over-tourism, zero baht tours and low profits.

The Louvre Museum is a prime example of market segmentation. To help ensure quality experiences for all, the Louvre requires advance booking of timed tickets to manage visitor flow. On-site ticket availability is limited and subject to the museum’s attendance levels. Admission is free for those under 18, the disabled and their caregivers, and certain other categories like art teachers.

Importantly, there is no highly irritating discrimination by nationality; EU residents under 26 enter for free, regardless of nationality. The Louvre offers standard adult timed-entry tickets, tickets with an audio guide, a combo ticket (including Louvre entry and a Seine River cruise), and a priority access guided tour with an expert host — each at a price point suitable for its market niche.

Our Chiang Mai Historical and City Arts and Cultural Centres have expert guides available on demand, dressed in period costumes, and they really know their stuff, eg, my guide majored in Thai History from CMU. Why can’t other tourist attractions be like them?

For instance, Ancient City might offer audio guides or hosts who majored in religion/history, or Khao Keo Open Zoo’s hosts might be zoology majors, with foreign language skills as an add-on.

Think profit per head, not just heads.

Burin Kantabutra