Category: The Bangkok Post

Air quality in the capital during the annual haze season should be more manageable than in previous years, following the introduction of measures to control pollution caused by large vehicles, says the Bangkok governor.

Speaking at the launch of the “Green List Plus” campaign at the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Chadchart Sittipunt said the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is prepared for the haze season, which typically begins in December.

Mr Chadchart said he hopes Bangkok will experience fewer days when PM2.5 dust particles exceed the safe limit this year, after the city was declared a pollution control zone.

He said 10 measures have been introduced to tackle the problem, particularly in the transport sector. One prohibits the entry of six-wheel vehicles into all 50 districts, except those registered under the Green List, a scheme designed to regulate toxic emissions.

In addition, the BMA, in collaboration with automobile manufacturers, will launch a campaign encouraging car owners to clean their engines by offering discounts. The city expects around 500,000 vehicles to take part in the initiative.

The measures also lower the permissible opacity level for black smoke from diesel-run vehicles, from a maximum of 30% to 20%. Vehicles exceeding this limit will be banned from operating in the city. For the industrial sector, Mr Chadchart said boiler plants must install pollutant measuring equipment known as the Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS).

He added Bangkok will seek cooperation from neighbouring provinces to curb burning activities in farmland, particularly in paddy and sugar cane fields. The city is also considering reinstating the “work from home” policy after last year’s implementation reduced traffic by 14%.

Bangkok also plans to establish 1,966 anti-dust rooms for young children, about half of which have already been completed.

“Please have confidence in our measures. The city is expected to see improved air quality, with up to 15% fewer days of poor air compared with last year’s 44 days of bad air quality,” he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin said he would invite governors of five neighbouring provinces to discuss measures to reduce farmland burning — a major cause of haze pollution in the capital. He urged local administrative organisations to play a more proactive role in assisting farmers who wish to adopt alternatives to open burning.

Thai tennis players, who strike gold at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games, will pocket a one-million-baht bonus each, the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand announced on Wednesday.

A meeting of the LTAT executive committee was held on Wednesday at the National Tennis Development Center in Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi. The session was chaired by association president Suchai Pornchaisakudom.

During the meeting, Suchai dwelled on preparations for the tennis competition at the 33rd SEA Games, which Thailand will host from Dec 9-20.

He urged all committees to ensure the tournament was organised to the highest standard, while also emphasising the importance of preparing Thai athletes for the challenge.

All tennis matches will take place at the National Tennis Development Center, with seven gold medals at stake.

In a bid to inspire the national squad, Suchai announced a personal incentive for the national team players. “To boost the morale of our tennis players, who will be competing on home soil for Thailand, I will personally reward each SEA Games gold medal with one million baht,” he declared.

The pledge applies to every event in which Thai athletes capture the top prize.

Thailand’s tennis team for the 2025 SEA Games will feature five men: Maximus Parapol Jones, Kasidit Samrej, Pawit Sornlaksup, Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul and Pruchya Isaro.

The Kingdom’s women’s squad includes Mananchaya Sawangkaew, Lanlana Tararudee, Thasaporn Naklo, Patcharin Cheapchandej and Peangtarn Plipuech.

The team will be managed by association vice president Wichet Teepakorn.

The men’s team will be coached by Dr Thanakorn Srichaphan, while the women’s side will be led by Pacharapol Khamsaman.

With strong home support and the added incentive from their president, Thailand’s tennis players are aiming to deliver standout performances at the region’s biggest sporting stage.

The government is being urged to recruit more shops to join the Khon La Khrueng Plus co-payment scheme, as spending on its first day was disappointing, according to the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC).

However, the government has taken a different view, with spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat reporting robust economic activity on Wednesday, with total spending reaching 1.9 billion baht.

He said the highest spending total was recorded at the government-run Thong Fah (Blue Flag) shops at 709 million baht, followed closely by food and drinks shops at 697 million baht.

Thanavath Phonvichai, the UTCC president, offered a different set of figures. He said government data indicated eligible Thais spent an average of only 250 baht each, totalling 750 million baht from 3 million participants on the first day.

‘This means consumers are primarily purchasing essential items. The scheme is failing to encourage people to spend more than normal, which is what was expected to lift the economy,’ he said on Thursday.

It is not clear why there was such a large discrepancy between the government’s figures and those of the university.

Mr Thanavath attributed the disappointing figures to limited participation by shops, as roughly 600,000 are registered, representing only 20% of the total number of small and medium-sized enterprises that could participate.

He called on the government to encourage more businesses to join the scheme, saying that higher participation could enable this initiative to better support GDP growth, aiming for a 2% increase in economic expansion this year.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, in his capacity as the interior minister, has directed local officials to work with Krungthai Bank in setting up mobile units to help vendors across the country register to expand shop participation.

Mr Anutin has also instructed community development offices to invite One Tambon One Product shops to join the scheme and organise weekly fairs, if possible, to increase sales channels, Mr Siripong said.

Authorities are investigating a private clinic in Bo Win district of this eastern province after a father alleged staff poured hot water on his feverish three-and-a-half-year-old son, causing third-degree burns.

The Lao migrant worker said he took his son to the clinic on Wednesday for treatment of a high fever. Shortly after receiving an injection, the child went into shock. The doctor reportedly instructed staff to place a cloth on the child’s chest and pour warm water over him, followed by hot water twice more, causing the skin to blister. The child screamed in pain.

The doctor reportedly claimed the method was intended to revive the child from shock, though medical experts confirm this is not correct treatment protocol.

The father rushed his son to Rayong Hospital, where doctors admitted him to intensive care, stating the boy could have died if treatment had been delayed further.

Clinic’s response

Following the incident, the clinic claimed no wrongdoing. A senior staff member reportedly made reference to relatives working as a prosecutor and in public health.

A clinic assistant claimed the method used on the boy was equivalent to electrical stimulation.

As news of the controversy spread online, the doctor’s wife telephoned the father offering to provide care, claiming she had miscommunicated because she doesn’t speak Lao. She reportedly insisted the clinic could clean wounds better than hospitals.

Patient complaints

Since the news broke, other former patients have come forward with complaints about the doctor’s behaviour, including:

Using vulgar language and swearing at patients

Refusing to treat factory workers

Becoming angry when patients asked if medicine would cure them

Refusing examinations, saying ‘go check somewhere else, I can’t be bothered’.

Some patients alleged the doctor challenged them to physical fights and claimed to know influential people.

Official action

The Be One Foundation accompanied the family to meet officials from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security and the Rights and Liberties Protection Department on Wednesday.

Provincial welfare officials will coordinate hospital care and assess the child’s psychological condition. The Rights and Liberties Protection Department will assist with compensation claims.

Authorities confirmed the doctor holds a valid medical licence and the clinic is legally registered.

The Chon Buri Provincial Public Health Office has ordered the clinic temporarily closed pending investigation results. The case will be referred to the Medical Council of Thailand for an ethics investigation.

Twenty Chinese people were arrested at a luxury pool villa in Mae Rim district of this northern province on Thursday, suspected of operating scams targeting compatriots in China.

The suspects included 14 men and six women, one of whom broke her leg after jumping to the ground in a bid to escape. At least 10 other suspects managed to get away by jumping into the river and fleeing into nearby woods, police said.

The detained suspects reportedly told police that their boss paid 120,000 baht a month to rent the 90-million-baht villa by the Ping River in tambon Don Kaew and paid them salaries of 100,000 to 200,000 baht monthly.

Officers found about 100 mobile phones and Chinese SIM cards in the house. There were also surveillance cameras to monitor police activity, giving the suspects time to run.

Some of the suspects held student visas with admission registered at local universities. Others had entered the country with tourist visas, police said.

According to investigators, most of the scams involved an offer of life insurance, or a request to claim an undelivered parcel.

The victims, all Chinese nationals, were duped into transferring money to accounts controlled by the syndicate.

Pol Lt Gen Kritthapol Yisakhon, commissioner of Provincial Police Region 5, said the suspects worked for an established gang that had been raided twice in Hang Dong and Mae Rim districts in July. The network moved its operation to the villa two months ago.

Police said all 20 detainees face charges of forming a criminal association and fraud. They are being held at Mae Rim police station for further questioning.

Authorities are also coordinating with the Chinese consulate in Chiang Mai to assist in the investigation.

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.