Category: The Bangkok Post

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is requiring Thailand ensure non-discrimination in the bidding processes of its state-owned enterprises (SOEs), while Thailand has requested a five-year period to implement the necessary adjustments.

According to a Finance Ministry source who requested anonymity, in negotiations for Thailand’s OECD membership, one of the chapters requiring discussion and agreement between Thailand and the organisation concerns SOEs.

The OECD frowns upon discriminatory practices in the procurement processes of SOEs, such as setting bidding conditions that favour subsidiaries of those SOEs. Instead, bidding should be open and fair to all participants, whether Thai or foreign.

The source said negotiations on this chapter are ongoing. Thailand requested around five years for SOEs to adjust, as some have established subsidiaries specifically to handle the parent SOE’s projects.

In addition, the OECD wants Thailand to amend certain laws concerning specialised financial institutions owned by the state, which currently stipulate their services are provided only to Thai nationals. The OECD sees this as an unequal practice.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said recently the government plans to pursue OECD membership, which requires adherence to standards, good governance and the rule of law, through three main agendas:

1. Creating a rule of law roadmap to prepare Thailand for OECD membership by setting plans to upgrade legal standards and the justice system.

2. Unlocking corruption and reforming laws that hinder business operations, while preventing legal loopholes or opaque mechanisms that could give rise to grey businesses, ensuring that legitimate businesses can compete fairly and receive genuine support.

3. Promoting transparency and public participation by enhancing open government practices, using digital technology to disclose government information transparently and accessibly, and allowing citizens to monitor, scrutinise and provide systematic feedback on government work, with institutions in place to listen to such input.

Mr Anutin said the goal is “creating an ecosystem of transparency” where all decisions and budgetary expenditures are subject to scrutiny, and policies are transparent and genuinely inclusive of public participation.

No Asean country has become an OECD member yet, with Indonesia in the membership application process, while Thailand submitted a letter of intent of its wish to join the OECD to the group’s secretary-general at the end of 2023.

The membership process is relatively long, with some countries taking 7-8 years from application to approval by a council of the 38 OECD member states.

For Thailand, the National Economic and Social Development Council serves as the secretariat for the OECD membership task force, and plans to complete the process in just five years.

However, achieving this would require a collective effort from both public officials and the private sector to elevate various national standards to align with the OECD’s global standards.

Officials are planning to allocate 9 billion baht from the Energy Conservation and Promotion Fund to support the state’s “Quick Big Win” initiative.

A key policy of the Anutin Charnvirakul government, Quick Big Win promotes swift, impactful and broadly beneficial projects across ministries as the administration pledged to work for four months, then dissolve the House for a new general election next year.

“The Energy Ministry’s Quick Big Win focuses on projects that can help people earn revenue and reduce expenses in the energy sector,” said Rathachat Siripanich, manager of the Energy Conservation and Promotion Fund Office.

The budget of 9 billion baht will be forwarded to the fund committee for final approval of allocation in fiscal 2026, which runs from Oct 1 to Sept 30, 2026, he said.

“We want to help the government stimulate the economy and ensure Thailand can achieve its net-zero target in 2050,” said Mr Rathachat.

In fiscal 2025, the office set a budget of 2.75 billion baht, but received project proposals from civic and state sectors totalling 13.4 billion baht.

The committee’s criteria to grant money is based on a policy to promote energy development in remote areas, especially residential areas without electricity.

Mrs Thapanee Techajareonvikul, Chief Executive Officer and President of Berli Jucker Public Company Limited (BJC), has been named on Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Asia 2025 list for the second consecutive year, ranking 65th among 100 influential female leaders across the region.

Compiled by Fortune magazine, the list honours women executives whose leadership, strategic vision, measurable business impact, and ability to shape the future of their organisations and industries stand out amid global and regional challenges.

‘This recognition is both an honour and a strong motivation to continue driving BJC’s sustainable growth-creating a positive impact for our people, partners, and communities,’ said Mrs Thapanee.

This year’s list features women leaders from 14 countries across Asia, with Mrs Thapanee among eight Thai executives recognised for their leadership excellence.

If you could have three wishes granted, what would they be? Believe it or not, but for the first wish most people would ask for a large sum of money. The other two wishes are also for themselves. Only a few people are willing to make a wish for others or society. On social platforms, you can see these kinds of comments regarding Genie, Make A Wish, the most popular Netflix TV series in Thailand this week.

Genie, Make A Wish, a Korean TV series, follows the story of Genie (Kim Woo-bin), a magic spirit in a lamp, who wants to get revenge on Ka-young (Suzy), a female psychopath. Genie accuses Ka-young of causing him to get trapped in the lamp for almost a century. He offers Ka-young three wishes, so that he can twist them to get revenge, however, Ka-young ignores him.

Unlike kind lamp-dwellers everyone is familiar with, this Genie has more interesting aspects since he is Satan who tempts and corrupts humans with three wishes. People must think carefully before making a wish as if they wish for a large sum of money, they may face scrutiny of their income or face a significant tax liability. Besides playing the role of Satan, Genie is also an eccentric character who has awakened after a long time and is naive about the modern world. To earn money, Genie has to work as a labourer because he cannot grant himself wishes.

The role of Ka-young, the mistress of Genie’s lamp, is also intriguing since she is an emotionless psychopath. Although Ka-young lacks the ability to express her emotions, she was well raised by her grandmother and villagers to help her adapt to society. Suzy has received mixed reviews for her portrayal of the character as many viewers cannot understand Ka-young.

Genie, Make A Wish has a compelling story which shows the dark side of human nature, particularly greed and envy. It is also making everyone think twice before making a wish since the series emphasises the saying that there is no such thing as a free lunch.

Security forces in Narathiwat have arrested three men suspected of involvement in the recent gold shop robbery at Big C Sungai Kolok, while a separate bombing incident in Yi Ngo district yesterday morning injured several civilians and police officers.

Col Sitthichai Bamrungkhet, commander of the Narathiwat Special Task Force, led a joint operation on Wednesday alongside provincial police investigators and five special operations teams from the 48th Ranger Regiment.

The operation targeted individuals believed to be connected to both the June 28 attack on a tambon protection unit in Gia district and the Oct 5 armed robbery of more than 600 baht-weight of gold in Sungai Kolok.

Raids were conducted at three locations in Paluru subdistrict, Sungai Padi district, leading to the arrests of Azro Benkaso, 25; Niareifan Nileh, 24; and Anwa bin Abdulrahman, 43.

Authorities seized several items of evidence, including mobile phones and a vehicle and collected DNA samples for forensic analysis.

The suspects were initially taken to Sungai Padi Police Station for questioning before being transferred to the interrogation centre of the 46th Ranger Regiment in Mueang Narathiwat.

The arrests followed the Narathiwat Provincial Court’s issuance of warrants for four individuals in connection with the gold shop robbery.

Investigators believe the three detainees may also have links to the earlier armed attack in Gia district.

Meanwhile, at about 8.50am yesterday, an explosion occurred outside a tea shop near Yi Ngo temple in Yi Ngo subdistrict as police were on a routine patrol on the street in front of the shop.

The blast, believed to have been caused by an improvised explosive device, injured three officers and six civilians, including women and elderly residents.

Investigators believe the device was planted and detonated as the patrol vehicle passed, but the explosion predominantly struck civilians instead.

The bombing came just one day after a police raid on a religious school in Pattani’s Sai Buri district resulted in a deadly shootout. One border patrol officer from the explosive ordnance disposal unit and one armed suspect were killed, while another suspect was arrested with firearms seized.

The Police Region 9 commander has ordered security forces to expand the investigation to determine any connections between the suspects and the recent unrest.

Security has been tightened across public and high-risk areas to restore public confidence.

Former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is preparing to return as the leader of the Democrat Party at an extraordinary general assembly on Saturday, where members will also elect a new executive board.

Mr Abhisit, 61, served as the Democrats’ seventh leader from March 2005 to March 2019, and will return as the 10th leader of Thailand’s oldest political party, a party source said on Friday.

Several notable figures are also expected to take key roles on the party’s new executive committee, as it strives to reverse the steep decline in its influence and popularity over the last decade.

Among the most anticipated appointments is that of Chaiwut Bannawat, a former deputy party leader, who is tipped to become the new secretary-general. Mr Chaiwut is known to be a long-time confidant of Mr Abhisit and is widely trusted within the party ranks.

Mr Abhisit has reportedly finalised his executive lineup, a blend of seasoned politicians and new faces, which will be formally introduced after he is elected as leader.

Members are also awaiting a policy vision statement from Mr Abhisit as he outlines his roadmap to revitalise the party, said the source.

Among those tipped for key posts are Sakolthee Phattiyakul, a former deputy Bangkok governor, who is expected to be named deputy leader overseeing Bangkok affairs.

Other appointments include Songkran Jitsuttiphakorn, former Nakhon Sawan MP, as deputy leader for the North; Satit Pitutecha, as deputy leader for the Central region, continuing his previous role; and Chaichana Dechdecho, as deputy leader for the South, also retaining his current position.

In addition, Korn Chatikavanij, a former leader of the Kla Party and former finance minister, will join the Democrat executive team as a deputy leader with a designated mission. Also joining in a similar capacity is Ms Karndee Leopairote, a futurist and digital asset expert.

TikTok Juree Numkaew, a well-known TikTok personality, will be named deputy leader with a special mission.

Pongsakorn Kwanmuang is expected to be named the new party spokesperson. He is the son of Pol Gen Aswin Kwanmuang, a former Bangkok governor and currently a list-MP of the United Thai Nation Party.

Mr Abhisit made the decision to return as leader of the Democrat Party last month, according to Sathit Wongnongtoei, a former Democrat MP for Trang.

‘The return of Mr Abhisit will bring hope and raise the morale of party members in the wake of political conflict and challenges,’ Mr Sathit said

The leadership position has been vacant since Chalermchai Sri-on resigned last month, citing health reasons.

Oxford-educated Mr Abhisit first entered politics as an MP for Bangkok in March 1992. He led the Democrats from March 2005 to March 2019, and was Thailand’s 27th prime minister from December 2008 to August 2011.

He resigned as party leader to take responsibility for a major electoral setback in 2019. After winning 100 seats or more in elections going back to 1996, the Democrats managed just 53 seats in the 2019 poll. Their seat total fell to 25 in the 2023 election.

The historical agreement was signed by Lt.Gen.Pongchart Kampalanuwong, Director of the Army Sports Development Center, Lumpinee Boxing Stadium who has determined to center it as the global boxing hub and entertainment venue, under ambitiousness for building up the future of Muay Thai at a level of global stage in a sustainable pathway.

Lt.Gen.Pongchart Kampalanuwong, Director of the Army Sports Development Center, Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, who has led the project, said that the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium modification has not been only involved with basic infrastructure development, but also aggressively maintained persistence to inherit Muay Thai culture. This would be parallel with the country’s potential for promoting Thai martial arts- Muay Thai, entertainment and tourism under its national strategy for the economic and social sustainable development. The project has received great support from both local and international partners in various fields that helps it offer a chance to other boxing promoters and organizers for joining the scheme as well. This will be a kind of new model for promoting the boxing stadium to a heart of activity that is led to benefit to aspects of economic, social and cultural development, he added.

Under the cooperation, it has sent a clear message to elevate the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium as a full hub of global sports and entertainment, which would welcome other entertainment activity such as concert, boxing show and competition, e-sport, exhibition, Thai culture promotion and other events. It is a significant movement for building up ecosystem that links tourism, sport and importantly creative economy together. The income will be turned into the army staff’s welfare for their well living system.

Miss Krongkwan Lertjaruanun, Chief Executive Officer of LUMMAX Co.,Ltd. said that the company would exercise its expertise of advanced audio and light technology and live broadcasting innovation to raise up viewers’ experience, together with creating commercial advertisement and space to lure more business opportunities. It is also in charge of ticket distribution system, which has included both online and offline service to welcome both local and oversea demand. The basic infrastructure facility to serve various kinds of activity will be developed, paving a way for the country’s global destination of sport and entertainment venue.

Laundry You (WASH), operator of the WashXpress launderette chain, is to list on the Market for Alternative Investment with an initial public offering (IPO) price of 7.50 baht a share.

The subscription period will be on Oct 24 and 27-28. The funds raised will be used to expand its company-owned branches during 2026-2027, targeting a total of 160 new outlets. The company expects to raise 794 million baht in the IPO.

Laundry You also plans to upgrade the quality of existing stores and allocate part of the funds as working capital.

The IPO comprises up to 105.88 million shares, representing 30% of WASH’s total paid-up capital after the offering, includes both newly issued shares and existing shares offered by shareholders.

Yuanta Securities (Thailand) is the financial adviser and lead underwriter, while Finansia Syrus Securities, Krungsri Securities, KGI Securities (Thailand), and Daol Securities (Thailand) serve as co-underwriters.

Kawin Klongkratoke, chief executive of Laundry You, said the company operates three main business units: launderettes under the WashXpress brand, a franchise business, and sales of washing machines, dryers, and related products and services.

As of June 30, the company operates 548 shops, with 469 following the owner-operator model.

He said the company-owned launderettes contribute the majority of the company’s revenue.

Despite intense competition in Thailand’s launderette industry, Mr Kawin believes there is still room for expansion in both Bangkok and the provinces.

He said that most competitors mainly operate under a franchise model, which may face challenges in maintaining service standards. In contrast, the company focuses on company-owned stores to ensure control over outlets and services.

The company aims to add 80 stores this year, having already opened 34 stores in the first half of 2025.

Mr Kawin said the company plans to introduce additional services such as wash-and-fold, clothes binding, and delivery services.

Police have arrested eight suspects — seven foreign nationals and one Thai — following a major drug raid in Bangkok’s Nana area, uncovering a concealed drug room in a barbershop inside a five-storey commercial building, the Royal Thai Police (RTP) says.

The arrests came after national police chief Pol Gen Kittharath Punpetch ordered a nationwide crackdown on drug activity in tourist zones, the RTP said.

The raid in Bangkok, led by deputy national police chief Pol Gen Samran Nuanma and Metropolitan police commissioner Pol Lt Gen Siam Boonsom, resulted in the arrest of suspects from Egypt, Myanmar, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq and Thailand, the RPT said.

They were apprehended at a commercial building on Sukhumvit Soi 3 in Watthana district late Wednesday night after officers posing as tourists were approached by two foreign men allegedly offering them drugs and inviting them to the drug room at the back of the barber shop located inside the building.

The charges include possession and distribution of Category 1 narcotics, illegal entry, working without permits and selling untaxed goods.

The seized items include ecstasy, crystal meth, cocaine, methamphetamine pills, hallucinogenic mushrooms, hookahs, smuggled cigarettes and over 120,000 baht in cash.

Police dogs located drugs hidden inside a blender’s shaft during the search, police said.

Deputy Metropolitan Police Commissioner Pol Maj Gen Teeradej Thamsuthee said the suspects functioned as an organised network linked to other illicit activities and had intimidated tourists.

Authorities vowed to expand investigations into transnational criminal operations in Bangkok to ensure safety and promote sustainable tourism.

The Department of Business Development (DBD) has invited 381 government agencies to link their data with the Business Data Exchange (Bdex) system to enhance the efficiency of government processes, eliminating the need for businesses and individuals to provide copies of essential documents.

Poonpong Naiyanapakorn, director-general of the DBD, said the department developed the Bdex, a web-based platform allowing users to access accurate real-time business data.

Some 155 government agencies have linked their data with this system and the department plans to include more agencies.

Last week, the DBD sent an invitation to 226 government agencies to integrate their data into the Bdex system.

Moreover, the department requested the Digital Government Development Agency assist in streamlining the data integration process.

He said this initiative aims to create a comprehensive linkage of business data, paving the way for a fully integrated public sector information system, ultimately reducing costs and processing times for businesses and the public.

On April 23, 2024, the DBD an­- nounced a cooperation with the Thai Chamber of Commerce, the Thai Board of Trade and 10 government agencies to remove the public’s obligation to submit corporate documents and encourage data sharing among government bodies.

The collaboration expanded on Dec 16, 2024, to include 12 more agencies, raising the total to 22.

Mr Poonpong said this effort has saved annual expenses of more than 7.1 billion baht thanks to the reduction in processing time, document usage and opportunity costs.

If all 381 government agencies connect their data with the DBD via the platform and maintain this engagement, it should lead to significant reductions in expenses, travel time and business processing duration, he said.

This advancement should bolster Thailand’s competitiveness, attract more international investors and strengthen the economy, said Mr Poonpong.