Category: The Bangkok Post

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul will ask Chinese President Xi Jinping to expedite China’s consideration of purchasing 500,000 tonnes of Thai rice when the two leaders meet at the Apec summit in South Korea.

‘I will use the opportunity to raise several issues particularly the proposed rice imports which will not only boost national revenue but also strengthen bilateral trade ties with China,’ Mr Anutin said on Wednesday before leaving for South Korea.

Earlier, Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthamphan said she would visit China next month to finalise a government-to-government (G-to-G) rice purchase agreement and push for further cooperation on agricultural products.

China has been Thailand’s biggest trade partner for 12 consecutive years, with bilateral trade soaring to US$96 billion (3.2 trillion baht), growing by 28.1% in the first eight months of this year, the minister said.

Mr Anutin’s remarks were in response to questions about Thailand’s economic positioning after the government recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the United States on rare earth minerals.

Under the pact, the Thai and US governments agreed to establish a framework for cooperation on critical minerals and rare earth elements which is aimed at enhancing energy security and promoting the creation of a sustainable global supply chain. The initiative seeks to support key strategic industries, such as electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy, and advanced electronics.

Government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat said Mr Anutin will participate in two key sessions: ‘Towards a More Connected, Resilient Region and Beyond’ on Friday and ‘Preparing a Future-Ready Asia-Pacific’ on Saturday.

The first session will highlight Thailand’s efforts to promote trade, investments, public-private partnerships as well as its readiness to act as a bridge for Apec members and trading partners outside the region to ensure inclusive and long-term growth.

At the second session, Thailand will propose strategies to prepare Apec for future challenges via the use of AI and innovations to promote inclusive and sustainable growth. Mr Siripong said the prime minister will also attend the Apec CEO summit where he will deliver a keynote speech under the theme of ‘Bridge, Business, Beyond’.

He will also participate in the ABAC Dialogue with Apec Economic Leaders, and meet the US-Apec Coalition, one of the US’ largest business networks, and attend the Apec Economic Leaders’ Gala Dinner. Mr Anutin was to attend the Special Dinner for Apec Economic Leaders on Wednesday evening hosted by South Korean President Lee Jae-myung where he was expected to have informal discussions with several global leaders.

Thailand’s digital economy is expected to gain momentum through new trade initiatives under the US-Thailand framework for reciprocal trade and the development of the Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA).

Industry leaders said that aligning with US priorities positions Thailand as a more attractive hub for cloud service providers, technology infrastructure, and artificial intelligence (AI) investment.

However, they cautioned that while easing restrictions on US ownership in the Thai telecom sector could increase outlays, robust regulations are needed to prevent market dominance by large international telecom operators at the expense of local enterprises.

On Oct 26, the White House released a joint statement on the framework for the US-Thailand agreement on reciprocal trade. As part of the framework, both countries are to finalise commitments by Thailand to address barriers affecting digital trade, services and investment.

Thailand promises to refrain from imposing digital services taxes or measures that discriminate against US digital services or products, and to ensure the free transfer of data across trusted borders for the conduct of business.

Thailand will also ease foreign ownership restrictions in its telecom sector, and remove in-country processing requirements for all domestic retail electronic payment transactions for debit cards issued in Thailand.

Attracting the US

Supparat Singhara na Ayutthaya, general manager of DAMAC Digital, said the framework emphasises cooperation in supply chain resilience, investment security and strategic technologies, which will strengthen the policy backdrop for infrastructure like data centres.

Thailand may become a more attractive location for US cloud providers, hyperscalers or tech infrastructure investors, he said.

Mr Supparat said data centres rely on large volumes of IT hardware. Even though the framework focuses on trade between the US and Thailand, improved trade ties may lead to smoother imports of US equipment or better bilateral logistics and investment flows.

Paul Srivorakul, group chief executive of aCommerce, a Southeast Asia e-commerce aggregator, told the Bangkok Post that by allowing the free flow of data, Thailand is giving up some potential tax revenue in exchange for a major strategic advantage — attracting AI investment.

He said this trade deal is a smart strategic play for Thailand’s digital ecosystem.

“We are agreeing to forgo a new digital services tax. But we are trading that potential, small revenue for something much bigger: unprecedented access to US technology and investment, coupled with regulatory certainty,” said Mr Paul.

This commitment to ensuring the free transfer of data across trusted borders is the most crucial part, he said.

“Data is the essential fuel for AI. Without the secure, frictionless flow of large, high-quality datasets, global AI companies cannot operate their regional models effectively,” said Mr Paul.

By guaranteeing this, Thailand becomes instantly attractive to major AI firms and cloud computing giants looking to invest more into their data centres and regional hubs, he said.

This strategically positions Thailand as the most trusted and transparent digital hub in Southeast Asia.

This trust is essential for attracting Western tech firms who are seeking a secure alternative to the regional status quo, providing a vital counter-balance to excessive Chinese tech influence.

“Ultimately, this move makes Thailand a globally competitive choice for regional headquarters, directly challenging Singapore with our scale and new, frictionless rules,” said Mr Paul.

The AI-driven foreign direct investment and creation of high-skilled digital jobs will generate vastly more economic value and tax revenue than any unilateral digital services tax ever could, he added.

Mr Paul said the goal of easing foreign ownership in the telecom sector and removing payment processing requirements is to encourage US investment.

However, he said Thailand must ensure this move does not lead to market domination by a few large international players, stifling the growth of local Thai enterprises and digital entrepreneurs.

“The benefits of digital trade should also be carefully monitored to ensure they flow to the Thai economy and not just to foreign shareholders,” said Mr Paul.

NEW SATELLITE SERVICE

Nuttanai Anuntarumporn, chief executive of Interlink Telecom Plc, told the Bangkok Post that the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission is expected to maintain the foreign share ownership limitation in the major telecom companies at the current 49%, as the telecom sector remains a strategic industry.

The American framework is expected to help US-based satellite service providers such as Starlink expand their presence in Thailand, he said.

Their services can complement existing fibre-optic networks, especially in rural and remote coastal areas where terrestrial infrastructure is limited, said Mr Nuttanai.

As cross-border data flows become more seamless, connectivity infrastructure will see exponential growth, benefiting local telecom operators and system integrators, he said.

“By mid-2026, several hyperscale data centres will be completed, leading to a significant increase in domestic and outbound data traffic, reinforcing both data sovereignty and regional digital integration,” said Mr Nuttanai.

DEFA AGREEMENT

Meanwhile, Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said she aims to conclude the DEFA negotiations within the first quarter of 2026, with a formal signing of the pact later that year.

Thailand is the chairman of the negotiations committee.

The agreement is to serve as a modern, comprehensive framework for digital economic cooperation that effectively supports Asean’s transition towards a digital economy.

The pact is expected to lift the region’s digital economic growth by almost 30%, reaching a value of more than US$2 trillion by 2030.

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has rolled out a new digital platform aimed at streamlining how national sports associations apply for and manage government funding.

The initiative was introduced during a two-day seminar jointly organised with the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) and the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF).

The event, held at The Grand Fourwings Convention Hotel and SC Park Hotel in Bangkok, brought together representatives from national and provincial sports bodies to learn how to navigate the system.

Tourism and Sports Minister Atthakorn Sirilattayakorn, who presided over the opening, said the government was determined to modernise the country’s sports administration.

“The government attaches great importance to the systematic and sustainable development of sports in Thailand,” he told participants. “This seminar serves as a platform for associations to exchange ideas, strengthen collaboration, and align their operations toward shared national goals.”

A major shift

The centrepiece of the seminar was the launch of the NSDF’s fully digital application system. Officials described it as a step towards making the fund a “fully digital sports fund,” in line with the state’s broader Digital Government policy.

Through the platform, associations can submit funding requests, track the progress of their applications, and file project reports online. The system is designed to cut down on paperwork, reduce duplication, and improve transparency in how public money is allocated and monitored.

“This digital transformation will accelerate and streamline public fund management, making it more responsive, accurate, and aligned with the actual needs of Thailand’s sports community,” Atthakorn said.

Workshops held alongside the seminar offered practical training on budget management, online reporting, and project evaluation. Sessions also touched on athlete development, personnel training, and building organisational capacity to compete on both national and international stages.

Sustainable ecosystem

Beyond the technical aspects, the government used the seminar to underline its long-term vision for Thai sports.

Atthakorn said the aim was to create a standardised and equitable sports ecosystem that provides equal opportunities and sustained support across the country.

“The key to progress lies in establishing a system that offers world-class development pathways,” he said. “This foundation will enhance Thailand’s competitiveness and strengthen sports as a driver of the nation’s creative economy.”

Participants were urged to treat the seminar as the beginning of a broader reform in sports management. The minister stressed that transparency and accountability would be central to future funding decisions.

The launch of the digital platform is being framed as a milestone in the government’s efforts to modernise sports administration.

Officials argue that by reducing bureaucratic hurdles and improving oversight, the system will not only benefit athletes and associations but also help position sports as a contributor to economic growth, social development, and national pride.

Applications for investment promotion from January to September soared by 94% in value year-on-year to a combined 1.37 trillion baht, the highest level on record, says the Board of Investment (BoI).

The increase was mostly driven by large foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in target sectors, including digital and manufacturing of smart electronics components and devices, said BoI secretary-general Narit Therdsteerasukdi.

In the first nine months of 2025, the number of applications for investment promotion increased by 23% to 2,622 projects, up from 2,137 projects year-on-year.

The total value of FDI projects in all sectors amounted to 985 billion baht, representing 72% of the total value of applications. The value of FDI pledges increased by 82% year-on-year.

“The value of investment applications we received in the first nine months is already 22% higher than that of applications for the whole of 2024,” said Mr Narit.

A total of 119 projects were filed in the digital sector, mostly for data centres, for a combined investment value of 613 billion baht, while the electrical appliances and electronics (E and E) sector recorded 382 project applications representing total investment of 184 billion baht.

Applications for large investments in data centre businesses this year include a pledge of 72.7 billion baht by Beijing Haoyang Cloud Data Technology’s Hong Kong unit, a vow of 52.6 billion baht by UK-based Zenith Data Center and Cloud Services, and an estimate of 38 billion baht by Singapore-based Galaxy Peak Data Center.

In the E and E sector, a unit of China’s Sunwoda Automotive Energy Technology in high-density battery manufacturing from the cell level pledged 50.5 billion baht, while Singapore-based Peng Shen Technology vowed 15.8 billion baht for high-density interconnected printed circuit board manufacturing. US-based Fabrinet promised 4.6 billion baht for optical fibre manufacturing.

The automotive and auto parts sector came in third among target sectors, attracting 229 applications, worth a combined 71 billion baht.

The agriculture and food processing sector attracted 228 applications representing 47.2 billion baht in investment value.

According to the BoI, Singapore was the top source of FDI applications in terms of value with 360 billion baht, followed by Hong Kong (237 billion), China (143 billion), the UK (100 billion) and Japan (73.8 billion).

Thailand’s New Year countdown events will continue as usual, but the iconic fireworks show usually staged at Wat Arun in Bangkok will move to the northern province of Phayao in an effort to promote second-tier destinations, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

The decision to move the fireworks event to the home province of Deputy Prime Minister Thamanat Prompow was made before the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother, TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said on Thursday.

As Bangkok already has successful countdown events organised by the private sector that attract an influx of tourists each year, the TAT wants to allocate its budget to help increase tourist flows to second-tier provinces, she said.

The countdown event at Wat Arun was first held in 2016, aiming to showcase fireworks over the Chao Phraya River with the temple as a backdrop.

In the North, the agency has selected Phayao as a new destination this year, in addition to Chiang Mai. The location for the event in the South is still under consideration, said Ms Thapanee.

The event in Phayao is expected to attract at least 250,000 visitors and stimulate tourism in northern provinces beyond Chiang Mai.

Thamanat, an MP for Phayao, oversees the Ministry of Tourism and Sports in his role as a deputy PM in the Anutin administration.

Ms Thapanee also said foreign visitors can be assured that the mourning of the late Queen Mother would not affect their New Year travel plans, as the two largest events in Bangkok – hosted by Iconsiam and CentralWorld – are still confirmed.

She said most festive events in Thailand would proceed as scheduled, with additional tributes included to commemorate the late Queen Mother in a respectful and elegant manner.

However, because some planned fireworks shows in Bangkok share the same location as the royal funeral, Ms Thapanee said the agency still needed to discuss the most appropriate solution.

For provincial countdown events, she said fireworks can proceed as usual, as the government has clearly stated it has not imposed a ban on private celebrations or entertainment events.

As well, Ms Thapanee said the Vijit Chao Phraya illumination show has been rescheduled to run from Nov 9 to Dec 23, while Loy Krathong festivals on Nov 5 would continue as planned.

The Royal Thai Police is stepping up efforts against call centre gangs and online scammers after the government declared cybercrime suppression a national priority.

Under the leadership of Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej, assistant commissioner-general and deputy director of the Police Cyber Task Force (PCT), the force is adopting a data-driven approach to trace and dismantle criminal networks by building what he calls a “financial DNA” of scammers.

In an interview with the Bangkok Post, Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop said law enforcement authorities are now tracking criminal money flows — from the creation of mule accounts to the conversion of stolen funds into digital assets — with the aim of recovering victims’ money and capturing the masterminds behind these operations.

He added this strategy forms part of the national initiative to develop a “Digital Police” force capable of tackling complex forms of cybercrime.

New framework

Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop said police are enforcing the 2025 Royal Decree on the Prevention and Suppression of Technology Crimes, a landmark law that modernises legal tools for combating online fraud.

The decree empowers the police to act as the lead criminal prosecution agency and to coordinate with financial and digital institutions to collect and use data effectively.

“To make the law work, officers must fully understand and correctly apply it,” Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop said, noting the force is conducting workshops and online training programmes nationwide to enhance officers’ legal literacy and operational skills.

“Police are no longer looking only at the ‘destination account’,” Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop said.

“We’re now building the ‘financial DNA’ of criminal groups by following money trails from the moment mule accounts are opened until the funds are converted into digital currencies or transferred overseas.”

Only a few police units possess the expertise to investigate digital transactions at present. To address this gap, the PCT is developing specialised training courses and operational manuals for regional and provincial investigators.

Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop said police must evolve into a fully digital organisation. “We’re moving from traditional investigation to a proactive, technology-driven model,” he said. “Our aim is to predict and prevent crimes before they occur.”

He outlined plans to expand staffing in three core areas: digital forensic analysts, data scientists, and cyber investigators. These specialists will be critical to the modernisation of the Royal Thai Police and its ability to combat transnational cybercrime.

The PCT’s internal structure has also been reorganised into 13 specialised divisions, covering areas such as data analytics, digital and gold assets, telecommunications and VoIP, online platforms, and border control. Each division operates under a unified data system to enhance coordination and effectiveness.

Harnessing Big Data and AI

The PCT uses a big data system to compile and analyse information for tracing criminal networks. Artificial intelligence is increasingly employed for proactive work — such as screening suspicious online posts, generating automated reports, and even simulating victims in police training programmes.

Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop said cooperation with banks and online platforms has improved under the new legal framework. Financial institutions now work in real time with police through “war room” operations to detect and freeze suspicious accounts.

A colour-coded system classifies mule accounts by severity: “grey mules” (first-line mule accounts) are immediately suspended; “black mules” are publicly listed and banned from transactions for three years; and “brown mules” are identified by banks’ internal risk systems. Banks have also tightened account-opening procedures for both individuals and businesses.

Online platforms, meanwhile, have stepped up efforts to block fraudulent accounts and share user data to support investigations. In return, police provide feedback and prevention models derived from data analysis to help platforms detect and prevent future fraud attempts.

Prevention as best defence

“The best suppression is prevention,” Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop said.

“Building digital immunity among citizens is just as important as catching criminals.” He compared cybercrime awareness to vaccination during the Covid-19 pandemic, noting that widespread knowledge can reduce the spread of online viruses.

He said the police are partnering with the media and private sector to roll out public-awareness campaigns targeting all age groups and regions. The outreach aims to educate people about common scams and promote access to the national cybercrime hotline at 1441.

One alarming new trend involves scammers impersonating government officials to target students. “Criminals call students, threaten them into isolation, then contact their parents to demand ransom,” Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop said. The PCT is working with the Education and Higher Education ministries to alert schools and universities nationwide.

Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop also warned of a surge in fraudulent investment schemes that use the likenesses of celebrities to gain credibility. Such scams often lure victims through online advertisements claiming to teach investment basics or offer free trading tips. Once victims register, they are tricked into downloading fake investment apps.

“These are among the most damaging scams we’ve seen,” he said. The PCT has established a war room to monitor online platforms and identify fake articles or ads before they spread. The team then submits takedown requests and collects digital evidence by deploying undercover officers posing as victims.

Regional cooperation

Recognising that many call centre gangs operate across borders, Thailand has begun working closely with neighbouring countries. Recently, Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop represented the Royal Thai Police in signing a bilateral action plan with Cambodia aimed at cracking down on scam operations. The agreement includes intelligence sharing, joint investigations, and a joint task force comprising 12 officers from each side.

Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop is optimistic. “With shared data, real-time coordination, and advanced technology, we’re finally starting to close in on these criminal networks,” he said.

Thailand’s evolving fight against cybercrime may still be in its early stages, but with the integration of financial analytics, artificial intelligence, and regional cooperation, it is moving from reactive policing to a proactive digital era — one that aims not only to catch scammers but to outsmart them before they strike.

True Corporation has implemented its one-network strategy through the complete integration of True and the now defunct Total Access Communication (dtac) telecom tower infrastructure and spectrum pooling.

True and dtac completed their merger to become True Corporation in March 2023.

According to True, the complete integration of True-dtac telecom infrastructure and spectrum pooling marks a significant step forward in the country’s telecom standards.

The integration powers up the company’s 5G service to a new standard as Thailand’s first 5G service based on combined 2600 and 2300 MHz bands that can deliver 80% faster speeds for customers countrywide.

According to Khurrum Ashfaque, chief network officer of True Corporation, the company has now upgraded and optimised the cellular networks of True Corporation and dtac after the formal amalgamation of the two companies over two years ago.

He added that the upgrading of the last tower stations was completed on Oct 10 this year.

Mr Ashfaque said the company recently announced a new mission to improve 5G standards through proof-of-concept (POC) testing of 5G carrier aggregation on 2600 MHz and 2300 MHz, delivering superior performance to enhance the 5G user experience.

The test results show an improvement of around 80% over previous configurations. In areas where full-band 90 MHz on 2600 MHz 5G has already been deployed, performance has improved by around 50%.

The company is strengthening its network leadership through strategies to improve both network performance and customer experience.

The company also embraces the “power up nation’s smile: up signal, up happiness” concept, reflecting a stronger network that delivers greater happiness in every dimension and ensures confidence for the Thai people in every situation.

True Corporation is committed to delivering the best experience to customers through three strategies: reliability, superiority, and innovation, with reliability as its top priority, Mr Ashfaque noted.

“We ensure our network has stability, continuity, and rapid problem resolution to minimise downtime during system improvements, which directly impacts better customer satisfaction.”

For superiority, the company continuously develops its network and differentiates through quality, responsiveness, and service excellence to enhance customer satisfaction.

“Regarding innovation, we leverage AI to drive operations through predictive monitoring, intelligent automation systems, and advanced data analytics, strengthening network robustness nationwide to elevate both network performance and customer experience.”

Prathet Tankuranun, chief information technology officer of True Corporation, said that after implementing the one-network strategy, the company is ready to power up digital communication experiences for customers nationwide.

“At its core, this project is network modernisation that unifies the towers and infrastructure of both networks into a single platform. We select the best-performing towers to support current and future demand while further expanding 5G and 4G coverage.”

Mr Prathet added that using spectrum pooling to combine key bands enables True and dtac customers to share network resources seamlessly, delivering stronger signals, higher speeds, and noticeably better performance nationwide.

New releases that hit cinemas in Thailand this week.

Sex

Directed by Dag Johan Haugerud.

Who’s in it?

Thorbjørn Harr, Jan Gunnar Røise and Siri Forberg.

What’s it about?

Two men, both in heterosexual marriages, have an unexpected experience that challenges them to reconsider their understanding of sexuality, gender, and identity. One has a sexual encounter with another man, without considering it either as an expression of homosexuality or infidelity, and discusses it with his wife afterwards. The other finds himself in nocturnal dreams where he is seen as a woman, stirring confusion and leading him to question how much his personality is shaped by the gaze of others.

Why watch it?

First instalment of the “Sex – Drømmer – Kjærlighet” trilogy.

Your Letter

Directed by Kim Yong-Hwan.

Who’s in it?

The voices of Lee Su-hyun, Kim Min-ju, Min Seung-woo, and Nam Doh-hyeong.

What’s it about?

Sori Lee is hoping for a fresh start at her new school?which is easier said than done when every single thing reminds her of why she transferred. As luck would have it, an anonymous letter taped to the bottom of her desk provides a perfect distraction. Little does Sori know that she’s about to embark on the scavenger hunt of a lifetime! What starts off as simple curiosity becomes a healing journey as Sori discovers just how far a small act of kindness can go.

Why watch it?

The film is based on the manhwa ‘Your Letter’ by Hyeon A Cho.

Eojjeolsuga eobsda (No Other Choice)

Directed by Park Chan-wook.

Who’s in it?

Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin and Park Hee-soon.

What’s it about?

After being unemployed for several years, a man devises a unique plan to secure a new job: eliminate his competition.

Why watch it?

An English-language adaptation of a Donald Westlake’s 1997 novel The Ax. At the 2019 Busan International Film Festival, Park told audiences that he was still working on his adaptation of the novel. The film was described by Park as a “lifetime project” and that while he hadn’t begun filming it yet, he wished “to make this film as my masterpiece.” Gavras, who still held the rights to the book, had helped Park to develop the project. The film was set to be an English-language picture, with Don McKellar co-writing the script alongside Park.

Shelby Oaks

Directed by Chris Stuckmann.

Who’s in it?

Sarah Durn, Mason Heidger and Joe Quinn.

What’s it about?

A woman’s desperate search for her long-lost sister falls into obsession upon realising that the imaginary demon from their childhood may have been real.

Why watch it?

The Kickstarter campaign for this film reached its initial funding goal of US$250,000 within 24 hours. When the campaign finished after one month, a total sum of $1,390,845 was pledged by 14,720 supporters, making it the most funded horror film on Kickstarter.

Primitive War

Directed by Luke Sparke.

Who’s in it?

Ryan Kwanten, Tricia Helfer and Nick Wechsler.

What’s it about?

Vietnam. 1968. A recon unit known as Vulture Squad is sent to an isolated jungle valley to uncover the fate of a missing Green Beret platoon. They soon discover they are not alone.

Why watch it?

The science fiction action horror film is based on the 2017 novel of the same name by Ethan Pettus. Unlike the book, the word “Utahraptor” is never outright stated. This is because Utahraptor was made public in 1993, 25 years after when the movie takes place, meaning that no one actually knew what a Utahraptor was.

Along 2 (My Boo 2)

Directed by Komgrit Triwimol.

Who’s in it?

Maylada Susri and Sutthirak Subvijitra.

What’s it about?

See the deep connection between Joe and Anong, long bonded across many lifetimes and reincarnations.

Why watch it?

The sequel to My Boo.

Liao Zhai Lanruo Si (Curious Tales Of A Temple)

Directed by Yuemei Cui, Heyu Huang and Yilin Liu.

Who’s in it?

The voices of Ziping Chen, Bohan Fu and Jiangshan Gu.

What’s it about?

Pu Songling, a scholar, stayed overnight at Lanruo Temple. He was caught by two monsters, Toad and Turtle, and brought to the bottom of an ancient well to judge whether story was good or bad.

Why watch it?

The first instalment in Light Chaser Animation’s New Legends series, adapting stories from Pu Songling’s classic collection, ‘Strange Tales From A Chinese Studio’.

Premieres on Nov 1

NCT Wish 1St Concert Tour: ‘Into The Wish’

Who’s in it?

A Japanese-Korean boy band and the sixth and final sub-unit of the South Korean boy band NCT.

What’s it about?

NCT Wish’s first concert tour, ‘Into The Wish: Our Wish’, is happening from Oct 31 to Nov 2 at Inspire Arena in South Korea. After this, the tour will continue in Japan from Nov 8 to Dec 23. A future show is also planned for Bangkok on April 4, 2026, at Bitec Live.

Banlung Tubtimdang’s scintillating gold-winning effort at the 2025 World Taekwondo Championships on Tuesday night has reignited Thailand’s hopes for further success at the upcoming 2025 SEA Games and the 2028 Olympics.

Banlung delivered a career-defining performance in Wuxi, China, to capture the men’s 68kg crown.

After settling for silver in the 63kg division at the 2023 championships in Baku, the 22-year-old Thai fighter showed his growth and resilience by overcoming South Korea’s Seong Yu-Hyeon in the final.

He dominated the opening round 10-5 before sealing the title with a sharp counter-attacking display in the second, which he won 7-1.

His path to the top of the podium was equally impressive.

Banlung dispatched Libya’s Najimuldin Birzeeq 2-0 in the round of 64, followed by another 2-0 win over Australia’s Xavier Nikolovski.

He then defeated Kazakhstan’s Damir Shulenov 2-0 in the last 16 and edged Senegal’s Mouhamadou Mansour Lo 1-0 in the quarter-finals.

In the semi-final, he outclassed Croatia’s Matija Crep 6-4, 16-3, before producing his finest performance in the gold medal bout.

“I am very happy to have won this world championship, and I would like to present this gold medal to the Thai people. This success came from my determination after my performance was not good at the beginning of the year. After this I will focus on the next mission, which is the SEA Games in Thailand in December,” said Banlung.

Banlung’s victory makes him the sixth Thai athlete to win a world taekwondo title.

The past Thai world champions in taekwondo are Chatchawal Kaola-or (men’s 54kg) and Rangsiya Nisaisom (women’s 62kg) in 2011, Chanatip Sonkham (women’s 49kg) in 2013, Panipak Wongpattanakit (women’s 46kg) in 2015, Panipak (women’s 49kg) and Pannapa Harnsujitr (women’s 57kg) in 2019.

His triumph has given Thailand their first gold medal of the world meet in Wuxi, where other Thai fighters have shown promise by making it to the deeper rounds.

This success comes at a crucial time for Thai taekwondo with the 2025 SEA Games set to be hosted in Thailand this December.

Banlung’s victory provides a major psychological boost for the national team. His gold medal not only inspires his teammates but also raises expectations that Thailand can continue to dominate the regional stage in the sport.

Looking further ahead, the performance in Wuxi strengthens Thailand’s ambitions for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where the nation hopes to add to its already impressive Olympic taekwondo legacy.

Thailand have long been a powerhouse in the sport with stars such as Panipak bringing Olympic glory to the nation.

Panipak, who won taekwondo gold medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and the 2024 Paris Games and a bronze medal at Rio 2016, announced her retirement from the sport after Paris 2024.

The story of Smothong Group began in 2003 when Mr Seksak Piriyetyanggoon founded a palm fresh fruit bunch collection yard in Surat Thani Province. After witnessing the challenges faced by smallholder farmers, he studied the industry in depth and established Smothong Palm Oil Co., Ltd. to produce crude palm oil.

Production and Operations

The company’s expansion gained momentum in 2009, when Mr Seksak partnered with Mr Kittipong Puangmala, his father Mr Sawai Puangmala, and Malaysian businessmen Mr Lam Kim Kong and Mr Johnson Lim-experts in palm oil engineering and consultancy. Together, they constructed Smothong’s first crude palm oil factory in Tha Chana District, Surat Thani, which commenced operations in 2010 with a capacity of 45 tonnes of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) per hour.

Today, the Group operates four factories strategically located in:

Prasong Subdistrict, Tha Chana District, Surat Thani

Khlong Cha-oon Subdistrict, Phanom District, Surat Thani

Nong Rong Subdistrict, Nong Khae District, Saraburi

Thung Takhrai Subdistrict, Thung Tako District, Chumphon (operated by subsidiary A.L. Palm Co., Ltd.)

Smothong Group (SMO) is now among Thailand’s leading crude palm oil producers, with a combined capacity of 240 tonnes of FFB per hour.

Biofuel and Renewable Energy Development

In addition to palm oil production, the Group operates biogas power plants generating electricity from biomass fuel. Its three power plants supply a total of 14.38 megawatts (MW) to the national grid, contributing THB 119.64 million in revenue in 2024. This initiative not only supports Thailand’s palm oil industry but also advances national goals in energy security and sustainability.

Financial Strength and Corporate Structure

Smothong Group has demonstrated consistent financial performance, recording total revenues of THB 6,870.42 million, THB 5,894.14 million, and THB 6,261.09 million between 2022 and 2024, with net profit margins improving from 1.89% to 4.15%.

In the first half of 2025, SMO reported revenue of THB 4,965.89 million and a net profit of THB 518.51 million, a remarkable improvement from the same period in 2024, when revenue stood at THB 2,851.44 million and profit at THB 127.81 million (a rise from a 4.48% to 10.44% margin). An increase of approximately THB 390 million from the same period of the previous year, representing a remarkable growth of 305 percent.

In 2017, the Group consolidated into a single entity, forming Smothong Group Co., Ltd. On 21 March 2025, it transitioned to Smothong Group Public Company Limited (SMO) with registered capital of THB 920 million (THB 688.40 million paid-up), in preparation for its upcoming listing on the Stock Exchange of Thailand within November.

The forthcoming listing marks a major milestone in the company’s two-decade journey-from a small palm collection yard to a publicly traded enterprise-reflecting the strong investor interest it continues to attract as one of Thailand’s most promising growth stories in the agricultural and renewable energy sectors.

Subsidiaries SMO operates through three subsidiaries:

A.L. Palm Co., Ltd. (99.99% owned): Engaged in crude palm oil production and biogas power generation, with registered and paid-up capital of THB 480 million.

Mitprasong Green Power Co., Ltd. (99.99% owned): Operates biogas-based electricity generation for the Provincial Electricity Authority, with registered and paid-up capital of THB 70 million.

Team Evolution Co., Ltd. (49.44% owned): Currently inactive, holding undeveloped land assets for sale, with registered and paid-up capital of THB 90 million.

Ethical Standards and Future Outlook

The Group adheres to high ethical standards, effective governance, and systematic management, holding certifications including:

ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management System)

RSPO and RSPO Supply Chain Certification (RSPO SCC)

Green Industry Certification

Carbon Footprint for Organisation (CFO)

Backed by the expertise of its shareholders and seasoned management team, Smothong Group is poised to enter a new growth chapter with its forthcoming SET listing-underscoring its confidence, commitment to sustainability, and ability to deliver long-term value.