Category: The Bangkok Post

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.

The Transport Ministry and aviation bodies aim to establish Thailand as an aviation hub, emphasising maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) to meet international demand in the region.

“We must establish our own full-scale MRO, otherwise neighbouring countries such as Singapore will reap all the aviation benefits,” said Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn at the “Skyconomy” seminar co-hosted by Bualuang Securities this week.

He said Thailand is located near the two most populous nations, India and China, and serves as a gateway to Indochina, underlining its strong potential to become an aviation hub.

The US Federal Aviation Administration recently upgraded Thailand’s ranking back to Category 1 from Category 2, allowing Thai carriers and Thai pilots to return to the US, while United Airlines resumed its service to Thailand last week after an 11-year hiatus.

Thailand passed the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme with a preliminary score of 91.4%, exceeding the global average of 70.5%, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT).

Mr Phiphat said the ministry plans to attract airlines to fly to less-crowded airports, such as Krabi and Chiang Mai, as the major airports of Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and Phuket face congestion.

To make Thailand a hub, it needs more transit traffic and airports with better-equipped facilities for airlines, said CAAT director-general ACM Manat Chavanaprayoon.

ACM Manat said Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) has developed a new master plan for Suvarnabhumi airport, including a south terminal, MRO facility, cargo distribution centre, private jet terminal and a training centre for pilots, crew and technicians to support the industry.

A free zone is envisioned for Boeing and Airbus to establish aircraft spare parts stock centres, enabling urgent equipment changes to be made at the Thailand hub.

In addition, AOT’s proposal to raise the passenger service charge from 730 baht to fund airport development will be considered and approved soon, he said.

The CAAT is also coordinating with neighbouring countries such as Vietnam to jointly promote international aviation and attract foreign tourists to Southeast Asia.

Chai Eamsiri, chief executive of Thai Airways, said Thailand has room to improve in connecting traffic as it aims to catch up with Singapore, which has 30-40% connecting passengers. Thai Airways has 22% connecting passengers, up from 6% in 2023, he said.

Mr Chai said connecting passengers represent an opportunity to increase revenue, and the airline has been increasing this segment through a network strategy, offering long-haul flights to Southeast Asia via its Bangkok hub.

Next year, the airline expects to grow its fleet to 103 aircraft, up from 77. The expansion includes 17 narrow-body aircraft and four wide-body 787-9 aircraft.

Thai Airways is also co-investing in an MRO facility with Bangkok Airways at U-tapao airport worth 10 billion baht.

RISING AVIATION TECH

Thailand could be developed as a regional aviation hub by leveraging its core strengths, including its geographical advantage and adoption of aviation technology, Sithidej Mayalarp, chief executive of SET-listed aviation tech company SKY ICT, said at the seminar.

He urged the government and related agencies to promote aviation hub development by easing regulatory conditions for increasing domestic flight destinations, as well as promoting more facilities and the adoption of automation such as artificial intelligence technology.

Mr Sithidej said the domestic and global outlook for passengers and the aviation industry this year is improved from last year.

Despite the sluggish economy, the number of tourists globally for the first nine months this year declined around 6% year-on-year.

However, the volume of global passengers for the period soared 4.8% year-on-year.

More importantly, starting last month Chinese tourists started returning to Thailand after a two-year decline, he said.

Mr Sithidej said SKY ICT provides aviation tech solutions for 13 airports nationwide. The company upgraded the pre-boarding Common Use Passenger Processing System for those airports to support the influx of tourists.

He said the aviation technology at Thai airports is not inferior to those at rival airports, such as Singapore, Hong Kong and Incheon in South Korea.

The Thai Ministry of Commerce is preparing to explain new features of the Asean-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) and hold public hearings to ensure stakeholders understand and can take advantage of the benefits of the agreement.

The Department of Trade Negotiations will be in charge of the effort to publicise the so-called ACFTA 3.0 upgrade protocol, Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun said on Wednesday.

After signing the protocol in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, Ms Suphajee said all member countries must complete their internal processes and inform the Asean Secretariat of their readiness for enforcement.

For Thailand, after the public hearings, the ministry will submit the agreement to parliament for its consideration and approval.

Mr Suphajee said ACFTA 3.0 improves on the previous agreement, making it more modern and transparent to ease trade processes.

Key areas of improvement include customs procedures, industrial standards, agricultural standards, and economic and academic collaboration.

The agreement introduces new areas of cooperation, aligning with new trade areas such as the digital and green economies, supply chain connectivity, business competition, consumer protection, and support for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.

In the first half of this year, bilateral trade between Asean and China increased by 18.7% year-on-year to $430 billion, with exports totalling $145 billion and imports $285 billion.

Trade between Thailand and China rose by 28.1% year-on-year to $109 billion during the first nine months of 2025, comprising $30.7 billion in exports and $78 billion in imports.

Key exports included fresh, chilled, frozen and dried fruit; rubber products; computer, peripherals and parts; plastic pellets; tapioca products; and rubber.

Major imports comprised electric machinery and parts; machinery and parts; electric appliances; chemicals; computers, peripherals and parts; iron, steel and steel products.

The Central Bankruptcy Court is set to issue a ruling declaring Vonnarat Tangkaravakoon, former executive and major shareholder of scandal-plagued Stark Corporation (STARK), bankrupt, with orders to distribute assets to 3,417 creditors whose combined claims total 131.4 billion baht.

The case is now awaiting a ruling from the Criminal Court to determine whether Mr Vonnarat is guilty of wrongdoing and liable for investor damages, according to the Thai Investors Association (TIA).

To protect shareholder rights, the TIA earlier urged all Stark common shareholders affected by the fraud to file debt claims with the Legal Execution Department by April 11. On Sept 27, the first creditors’ meeting was held and confirmed there were 3,417 creditors with total claims of more than 131.4 billion baht.

Creditors are divided into four categories, comprising financial institutions, tort creditors (including bondholders and common shareholders), Phelps Dodge International (Thailand) Ltd and Piyachanok Tangkaravakoon, who is Mr Vonnarat’s spouse.

Since Mr Vonnarat did not submit a debt settlement plan, the receiver has recommended the court issue a bankruptcy judgement against him.

Meanwhile, the Criminal Court case, filed by public prosecutors against Mr Vonnarat and associates, is still underway.

The receiver has informed the court that Mr Vonnarat is now under absolute receivership and in bankruptcy proceedings, but the court should continue its criminal trial to determine his guilt and liability for damages.

Once the Criminal Court issues its ruling, the receiver will decide on compensation and determine the repayment amounts due to tort creditors, including both bondholders and common shareholders, according to the TIA.

The receiver is now collecting Mr Vonnarat’s assets and verifying all creditor claims. Debt investigations for common shareholders will begin after the Criminal Court delivers its verdict.

The next step will be for the Bankruptcy Court to officially declare Mr Vonnarat bankrupt, allowing the receiver to liquidate assets and distribute repayments to all approved creditors.

The TIA released this updated information to inform Stark shareholders and affected investors of the ongoing legal and procedural developments in the case, the TIA stated.

The Stark case began in mid-2023, when the company failed to submit its 2022 financial statements, prompting the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) to suspend trading in June 2023.

Subsequent investigations uncovered large-scale accounting fraud, including falsified financial statements and suspicious fund transfers worth over 100 billion baht.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) later filed civil and criminal charges against key executives, including Mr Vonnarat, in late 2023. The case has since proceeded to the Central Bankruptcy Court and Criminal Court in 2024.

Former Pheu Thai Party leader and former deputy prime minister Viroj Pao-in died peacefully at 91 years old on Thursday.

Pheu Thai MP Kokaew Pikulthong expressed his condolences in a Facebook post, honouring Pol Lt Gen Viroj’s legacy as a respected elder and mentor within the party.

‘He was a compassionate leader who always offered legal guidance and support to younger members,’ Mr Kokaew wrote.

Pol Lt Gen Viroj served as Pheu Thai leader from 2014 to 2019, a period marked by political turbulence following the 2014 military coup, which ousted the Pheu Thai-led government.

Alongside then-party secretary-general Phumtham Wechayachai, he upheld the party’s stance against the coup and advocated for the swift return of power to the people.

His leadership helped steer Pheu Thai through a challenging political climate.

Born on Dec 7, 1933, Pol Lt Gen Viroj graduated from the Royal Police Cadet Academy and held several key positions in law enforcement, including chief of Samre police station and commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Bureau.

He later entered politics, serving as an MP for Ang Thong province under the Prachakorn Thai Party and the Chart Thai Party.

He was appointed to the National Peacekeeping Council’s asset examination committee and held two ministerial posts: deputy interior minister under the Suchinda Kraprayoon government and deputy prime minister in Chuan Leekpai’s 2000 administration.

In the 2007 general election, he ran as a party-list candidate for the People Power Party but was not elected.

He later joined Pheu Thai, becoming deputy party leader and winning a party-list seat in the 2011 election.

In October 2012, Pol Lt Gen Viroj was appointed acting party leader following the resignation of Yongyuth Wichaidit.

In the 2023 general election, he was elected as the top-ranked party-list MP for Pheu Thai and presided over the first session of the 26th House of Representatives.

The inspiration for this article comes from the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) World Economic Outlook (WEO) report for the month of October.

As usual, the organisation conducted a quarterly review of the world economy, including GDP growth projections for member countries.

Some of the projections surprised me as Thailand’s expected GDP growth for 2026 ranked the lowest among the 10 member nations of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), and the second-lowest (1.6%) in Asia after Japan (0.6%).

We know things are not going great in Thailand, but to suggest GDP growth will lag that of Myanmar (3.0%), Laos (2.5%) and Cambodia (4.0%) — especially by such a large margin — is not only likely inaccurate but insulting.

The IMF projects the kingdom will see 2.0% GDP growth this year. If readers do not feel embarrassed by this point, please look at the attached table.

The title of this article, “Thailand now ‘the sick man of Asean'”, actually could not be further from the truth. Nonetheless, things are bad. This article still makes the point that the economy is in a coma and needs an urgent turnaround.

Political propaganda and small fixes will not do the job. Policymakers should stop dreaming that there are easy solutions. Solutions will not only be difficult but also painful.

For a good example of painful solutions to turn the economy around, we can turn our attention to Argentina.

The country was previously plagued by 200%-plus inflation rates that mutilated its economy. The Argentine peso even lost 45% of its value within a single year. Even the IMF gave up hope on controlling the level of skyrocketing inflation there.

Newly installed President Javier Milei performed a de facto miracle by pushing inflation down to the 30% level. Many thought his hostile spending cuts of 30% and massive market reforms would cost him his political future.

On the contrary, his party won a majority of seats in both Houses in last week’s midterm elections. But despite the sharp pain, Argentines did feel the benefit of low inflation after he came to power.

Surely, not everyone is happy about this, as some of the measures are indeed painful. Pensioners have been protesting on the streets for weeks.

As I said, to get the job done, no Mickey Mouse solution will do. Originally, I intended to write three full sections in this article.

The first would describe the crises that qualify the Thai economy to be branded “the sick man of Asean”. The second would discuss the consequences of said crises. And the last section would suggest certain painful solutions to ease the crises.

But due to space limitations, only the first section will be explained here. However, I will try my best to blend in some of the consequences and suggested solutions.

The first crisis is that of low GDP growth. It is not only for this or next year that Thailand’s GDP growth is being ranked the lowest in the region. Readers may want to glance at the table once again.

I am afraid that Thailand will stay at the bottom of the table at least until 2030. The IMF does not spell this out directly, but it can be deduced from the IMF’s World Economic Outlook (WEO) report for October that, from 2025-2030, Thailand’s average nominal GDP growth rate will stand at 2.8%.

The real GDP growth rate is probably only 1.8% which is the lowest among the major Asean economies.

By 2030, Thailand is expected, as per this report, to drop from being the third-largest economy in Asean to the fifth-largest.

Just out of curiosity, I wonder what the average long-term (nominal) GDP growth numbers of our Asean peers are during this five-year period.

Let’s see. They are 8.5% for the Philippines, 7.3% for Indonesia, 6.3% for Vietnam, 6.0% for Malaysia, and 4.3% for Singapore. For the honour of our country, may I repeat that the average (projected) nominal GDP growth for Thailand is 2.8%.

Thailand might be low on GDP growth, but we are surely high in debt. In fact, the high level of (bad) debt ranks as the nation’s second economic crisis. Thailand’s household debt to GDP ranks seventh in the world (88.2%), beating Hong Kong (87.8%), Norway (87.4%), and Denmark (84.8%).

But guess what? Those countries have high levels of household debt because their housing prices are extremely high. If mortgages are deducted, other consumption loans stand at less than 5% of GDP. Therefore, household debt never poses a threat to those economies.

Thailand, in contrast, has 60% of GDP for non-mortgage debt, which is way too high for Thai debtors to be able to repay.

I have calculated how much GDP growth, namely, income growth, Thailand needs to be able to cover the interest rate on its existing debt. Just interest rate obligations, no principal repayments.

Given an interest rate of 3% for loans, 4.8% GDP growth is needed. If that rate rises to 4%, 6.4% GDP growth would be required. Needless to say, Thailand could never reach such GDP growth, which means the problem of non-performing loans (NPL) is theoretically unsolvable.

Given the above calculation, Thai borrowers should have defaulted “en masse,” leading to a collapse of the nation’s banking system.

They have, but all parties concerned, including the Bank of Thailand (BoT), have been helping to hide the numbers. According to a BoT report, NPLs in the private sector are just 2.83%. Who are you kidding? The real rate of NPLs should be well above 20%.

Before loans are classified as NPLs, banks restructure those that are turning bad into good loans. This deceptive practice hides the problem from the public, but cannot hide it from the banks.

Since there are fewer good customers, the Thai banking system has seen negative loan growth for 15 consecutive months. Banks are indeed zombies.

What happens when less and less money enters the economic system? The answer can be found in the table, and the vicious cycle of low growth and bad debt begins. So if someone asks me whether the economy will bottom out in 2026, I would say not until the NPL problem is resolved and the zombie banking system is fixed.

To solve those problems, someone has to improve the borrower’s “ability to pay”. Fake debt restructuring is counterproductive.

When customers start paying debts regularly, banks will “magically” emerge from zombie mode and become active agents in the economy again.

The last crisis relates to competitiveness. Thailand’s industrial system does not yield a high enough income to push for growth and repay all debt.

If we want to have income on par with Malaysians, who enjoy almost twice the level of per-capita income, we need high-value-added products like theirs.

This all points to a switch to a STEM-based (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) industrial system.

Is there a “Big Quick Win” formula?

No.

It would take 20 years to achieve a STEM-friendly knowledge base, as Thailand would have to revamp its entire education system.

Julapun Amornvivat, a former deputy finance minister, is expected to be elected as the new leader of the Pheu Thai Party on Friday, according to a party source.

This comes after a leadership vote was called following the resignation of former leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who stepped down earlier this month.

While some members reportedly supported 69-year-old veteran politician Chaturon Chaisang, others argued that the party needed a younger, reform-minded leader with solid economic expertise to address Thailand’s mounting fiscal and social challenges.

After discussions at a meeting of Pheu Thai MPs on Tuesday, the consensus appeared to shift in favour of Mr Julapun, a 50-year-old Chiang Mai MP known for his calm temperament, economic acumen and ability to bridge the gap between the party’s senior and younger generations.

Party insiders said Mr Julapun’s proven ability to articulate economic policy and debate effectively with rival parties has helped cement his position as the frontrunner. He also represents a balance between experience and renewal, the source said.

According to the source, Mr Chaturon may still be nominated as one of Pheu Thai’s three prime ministerial candidates, while Sorawong Thienthong is expected to stay on as secretary-general.

Pheu Thai spokesman Danuphorn Punnakanta clarified that the party leader does not necessarily have to be its prime ministerial candidate. ‘These are separate decisions,’ he said, adding that the leadership vote will focus on strengthening internal unity and preparing for the next general election, likely to take place on March 29, 2026.

In another development, party-list MP Sutin Klungsang dismissed reports claiming he planned to quit Pheu Thai and form a new political group. He denounced the rumours as a smear campaign by individuals seeking to discredit him and destabilise the party.

‘None of this is true. I remain committed to Pheu Thai and will attend Friday’s general assembly to vote for the new leader,’ Mr Sutin said on Thursday. ‘Those who spread such rumours want to create the impression that the party is losing members. That is not the case.’

Mr Danuphorn said the party had already investigated the rumours and found them baseless. He added that Ratt Klungsang, Mr Sutin’s son, also confirmed that any discussion about forming a new party was an old contingency idea, not an active plan.

iCreator Conference 2025, presented by Sony, will take place on Wednesday, November 26 at BITEC (Bhiraj Hall), bringing together Thailand’s leading content creators, influencers, brands and agencies.

Under the theme “Awaken The Future”, the conference aims to equip creators with insights and strategies to navigate evolving trends and expand their reach globally, aligned with the mission to “Empower Thai Content Creators to the World”.

Programme Highlights

The conference features three main stages hosting over 50 speakers across 24 sessions and nine workshops, covering skills including creativity and content creation, content marketing, trend insights, brand communication, AI integration and self-motivation.

Global platforms Meta Thailand (Facebook and Instagram), TikTok Shop, YouTube Thailand and Lemon8 will present the latest industry trends and opportunities.

Confirmed speakers include Third Phutirapat Ongsri (Thepaleela), Ken Nakarin Wanakijpaibul (The Standard), CK Cheong (Fastwork), Tang Makkaporn Kattiyathongkum, Singh Wannasingh Prasertkul, Koen Pataradanai Setsuwan (Koendanai), Palang Rocksilp, Nicole Nam, Kim Kanchaya (Bearbykim), Dart Thanatorn Siriraks (yesiamdart), Gift Lee and Toy Kasidis Satangmongkol (DataRockie), amongst others.

Who Should Attend

The conference is designed for aspiring creators building their personal brand, businesses seeking marketing insights, freelancers, students interested in content creation, and professionals in creative and marketing fields looking to upskill for 2026.

Ticket Benefits

Early Bird ticket holders receive either 90 days of Canva Pro (for individual tickets), a cinema voucher (for duo tickets) or an ANGA online course (for groups of five).

All tickets include a free AI course from FutureSkill, course discounts, access to the Sony Creator Clinic for one-on-one consultations with creators, networking opportunities, 20% discount on iCreator merchandise, access to over 30 activity booths and six-month replay access.

Charoen Pokphand Foods Plc (CPF) of Thailand and NH Foods Ltd of Japan have established a new joint venture called CPF NH Foods Co Ltd, with the aim of enhancing the processed pork business.

The new venture, a partnership between CPF Food and Beverage Co Ltd (CPFFB), a subsidiary of CPF, and NH Foods Ltd, will focus on developing, producing and marketing processed pork products for consumers in Thailand and key export markets such as Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and other Asian nations.

Under this strategic partnership, NH Foods will leverage its global leadership in product development and advanced manufacturing technologies, while CPFFB will supply premium pork raw materials that meet international food safety standards, supported by its extensive distribution network across Thailand and regional markets.

CPF’s modern processing facility in Chachoengsao province will serve as the production hub.

Prasit Boondoungprasert, chief executive of CPF, said the joint venture is an important development for Thailand’s meat industry. With an investment of 1.8 billion baht, CPF has a 51% stake in the joint venture while NH Foods holds 49%.

The new company plans to launch processed pork products under the CP-NH brand in the second quarter of 2026, expecting to generate sales of about 1.7-1.8 billion baht in the first year, with around 90% anticipated to come from the domestic market.

Mr Prasit said the company intends to boost export sales so that they account for 40% of total sales, targeting Asian markets including Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan.

The company aims to increase sales to 2.3 billion baht in the next three years and reach 3 billion baht within the next five years.

Mr Prasit said that with this joint venture, the company expects to accelerate the development of its processed pork business, which currently lacks variety, and repeat the success of CPF’s processed chicken products.

CPF currently produces 6 million pigs a year, while Thailand’s overall production is nearly 20 million.

This collaboration is expected to rapidly enhance the pork sector’s development, leveraging CPF’s extensive experience in working with Japanese companies, he said.

Mr Prasit said the Thai pork industry is recognised for its use of local content such as domestic raw materials and labour, resulting in high-quality pork. The establishment of CPF NH Foods marks a significant milestone in uniting the strengths of two of Asia’s foremost food enterprises.

“By integrating CPF’s end-to-end distribution network and raw material sourcing with NH Foods’ advanced product development and manufacturing standards, we are setting new standards in food manufacturing — delivering premium-quality processed food to consumers across Asia,” said Mr Prasit.

Nobuhisa Ikawa, president and chief executive of NH Foods, said the firm decided to form a joint venture with CPF to expand its export markets, particularly in Southeast Asia and North America.

“NH Foods possesses strong know-how and technology and began discussions with CPF last year, leading to an agreement to jointly expand the markets, primarily in Asia,” Mr Ikawa said.

The partnership builds on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement signed between CPF and NH Foods last year. Under that alliance, CPF imported premium-grade beef from NH Foods for distribution in Thailand.

The success of that collaboration laid the foundation for this latest joint venture, which aims to further enhance both companies’ competitiveness and ensure sustainable growth across Asia’s fast-evolving food landscape, Mr Ikawa said.

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has approved the use of additional frequencies for wireless microphones to support Thailand’s effort to become a global conference and event hub.

AM Thanapant Raicharoen, the commissioner responsible for broadcasting and chairman of the subcommittee on frequency and technical standards, said a recent commission board meeting approved three drafts of NBTC announcements related to the use of frequencies and technical standards for wireless microphones.

One draft covers technical standards for telecom and wireless microphone equipment, while a second addresses criteria for the use of frequency and radio communication equipment allowed for general use.

The third draft covers technical standards for radio communication equipment and digital radio communication system equipment, including digital enhanced cordless telecom technology.

He said the approval supports increased use of wireless microphones, particularly for large events or concerts, and for TV broadcasts, which requires digital technology.

“These measures support Thailand’s positioning as a global conference and events hub,” said AM Thanapant.

He said wireless microphones are widely used in all sectors, such as meetings, education, concerts, sports, entertainment and media production.

These increasingly common uses have led to signal congestion and the use of older technology equipment.

Therefore, consideration was given to procuring additional frequencies to ensure efficient and free use by the public without requiring additional unlicensed bands, said AM Thanapant.

The NBTC also approved improvements of technical standards to support the use of frequency bands higher than 200 kHz, supporting the Wireless Multichannel Audio System.

In addition, the regulator endorsed upgraded technical and electrical safety standards to modernise and support current wireless microphone frequencies and technology.

“This approval not only allows the public to have more wireless microphone frequencies, but also provides Thailand with the technology to truly become a global hub for conferences, events and concerts. This allows for controlled and broadcasting sound using modern equipment, comparable to other developed countries,” he said.