Category: The Bangkok Post

Flooding remains in 15 provinces, with levels mostly decreasing, according to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation on Monday morning.

The department reported flooding in nine central provinces:

Uthai Thani in Muang district with lower floodwater.

Chai Nat in Sapphaya district with stable flood levels.

Sing Buri in In Buri, Phrom Buri and Muang districts with lower flood levels.

Ang Thong in Pa Mok, Wiset Chai Chan, Chai Yo and Muang districts with lower flood levels.

Suphan Buri in Muang, Bang Pla Ma, Song Phi Nong and U Thong districts with lower flood levels.

Ayutthaya in the districts of Sena, Phak Hai, Bang Ban, Bang Sai, Bang Pa-in, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Maha Rat, Bang Pahan and Ban Sa-ai with stable flood levels.

Pathum Thani in Sam Khok and Muang districts with lower flood levels.

Nonthaburi in Muang and Pak Kret districts with lower flood levels.

Nakhon Pathom in Bang Len, Sam Phran, and Nakhon Chai Si districts with stable flood levels.

Ayutthaya still had the most affected households, totalling 54,097, among the 15 inundated provinces nationwide.

In the North, flooding was reported in four provinces:

Phitsanulok in Bang Rakam district with lower floodwater.

Sukhothai in Muang, Kong Krailat and Khiri Mat districts with lower flood levels.

Phichit in Sam Ngam, Pho Thale, Pho Prathap Chang, Bung Narang, Bang Mun Nak, Muang, Taphan Hin and Wachira Barami districts with lower flood levels.

Nakhon Sawan in Chumsaeng, Muang, Phayuha Khiri, Krok Phra and Tha Tako districts with lower flood levels.

In the Northeast, flooding was reported in:

Ubon Ratchathani in Muang, Warin Chamrap, Phibun Mangsahan, Sawang Wirawong, Trakan Phuetphon and Don Mot Daeng districts with lower flood levels.

Udon Thani in Phibun Rak, Sang Khom and Nong Wua So districts with stable flood levels.

The Meteorological Department predicted that from Tuesday to Sunday rain would increase in upper regions of Thailand and decline in the South.

Bringing its heritage of artistry and innovation to life, the world’s largest jewellery brand has unveiled ‘The Pandora Story’ exhibition at Pandora Crafting and Supply in Bangkok, Thailand. The showcase invites visitors on an inspiring journey through Pandora’s evolution – from a humble jewellery shop in Copenhagen, Denmark, to a globally celebrated brand that unites exquisite craftsmanship with pioneering innovation and a steadfast commitment to sustainability.

The opening event marked a special occasion for the brand, graced by Mr Per Enevoldsen, Pandora’s Co-founder, alongside senior executives including Mr Alexander Lacik, Chief Executive Officer; Ms Berta de Pablo-Barbier, Chief Marketing Officer; Mr Byron Clayton, Chief HR Officer; and Mr Jeerasage Puranasamriddhi, Chief Supply Officer and Managing Director of Pandora Production Thailand. Also in attendance were Mr Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary-General of the Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI), and Mr John Alexandersen, Commercial Counsellor and Head of Trade at the Royal Danish Embassy in Thailand, together with distinguished guests and partners.

The Pandora Story celebrates the brand’s remarkable evolution, highlighting what makes Pandora much more than jewellery – the seamless fusion of traditional craftsmanship, modern technology, and sustainable innovation.

Exhibition Highlights

Origins and Evolution: Journey back to Pandora’s early goldsmith workshop, where its first creations took shape, and discover how the brand grew into a global leader in contemporary jewellery.

Craftsmanship and Innovation: Explore the artistry behind each piece, from meticulous design at Pandora’s creative studio in Copenhagen to expert handcrafting by Thai artisans, enhanced by advanced technologies that ensure exceptional quality and sustainability.

Path to Sustainability: Learn about Pandora’s commitment to environmental responsibility, including its milestone achievement of using 100% recycled silver and gold, ongoing efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, and community initiatives that make a positive impact.

Tree of Loves Installation: Experience ‘Tree of Loves’, a sculptural metal tree symbolising Pandora’s global family. Each leaf bears a heartfelt message from employees, reflecting the brand’s spirit and purpose – ‘We give a voice to people’s loves.’

Offering a rare glimpse into the brand’s universe, The Pandora Story reaffirms Pandora’s dedication to creating jewellery that is not only beautiful and meaningful but also sustainable, while underscoring Thailand’s vital role in its global journey.

‘Over the past 36 years, Pandora has created employment opportunities and elevated jewellery-making skills for tens of thousands of Thai artisans,’ said Mr Jeerasage Puranasamriddhi, Chief Supply Officer and Managing Director of Pandora Production Thailand. ‘We hope every visitor to The Pandora Story will be inspired by our journey and see the value that emerges when traditional craftsmanship meets world-class innovation.’

Today, Pandora operates two main crafting facilities in Thailand – in Gemopolis Industrial Estate, Bangkok, and Lamphun province – employing more than 10,000 skilled artisans and producing over 100 million pieces of jewellery annually.

The brand is now entering an exciting new chapter with the establishment of a new crafting facility in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This site will create up to 7,000 local jobs and add an additional 60 million pieces in annual production capacity – a milestone that further strengthens Pandora’s global leadership in sustainable jewellery manufacturing.

About Pandora

Pandora is the world’s largest jewellery brand, specialising in the design, crafting and marketing of accessible luxury jewellery made from high-quality materials. Each piece is designed to inspire self-expression, allowing people to share their stories and passions through meaningful jewellery.

Pandora jewellery is sold in more than 100 countries through 6,800 points of sale, including over 2,700 concept stores. Headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, Pandora employs 37,000 people worldwide and crafts its jewellery using only recycled silver and gold. The company is committed to leadership in sustainability and aims to halve greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain by 2030.

Pandora is listed on the Nasdaq Copenhagen stock exchange and generated revenue of DKK 31.7 billion (EUR 4.2 billion) in 2024.

The always popular all-you-can-eat dim sum experience at InterContinental Bangkok’s Summer Palace combines good taste with value for money, whether you’re in the mood for lunch or dinner.

The Chinese restaurant, located on the mezzanine level of InterContinental Bangkok, provides an elegantly sophisticated but relaxed setting, perfect for both business lunches and leisurely dining with friends and family. Ten richly appointed private dining rooms, the largest accommodating 20 guests, make it a top choice for special occasions.

The indulgent experience is prepared by executive Chinese chef Shui Wing Yau and dim sum chef Pui Kwan Chan, both Hong Kong natives. They have brought flavourful explosions from the streets of Hong Kong to the heart of Bangkok.

Their famous selection of delicious handmade dim sum is prepared using the time-honoured techniques of steaming, baking, stir-frying and deep-frying. Steamed delights in the selection include classic Ha gao prawn dumplings and sophisticated Black truffle dumplings with vegetables and fresh mushrooms.

Wok-fried turnip cake served with chef’s special XO sauce, and a baked fresh milk and egg white tart offer delightful taste and textural sensations, as do crispy deep-fried offerings such as King crab meat and avocado spring rolls and Mini pancakes of shrimp.

Beyond delicious all-you-can-eat dim sum, the decadent menu includes flavourful choices of appetisers, zesty soups, hearty main courses and toothsome desserts. The starter assortment features Cantonese mainstays such as Barbecued pork ribs with honey sauce and Jellyfish with chilli and cucumber.

Soups include a hot and sour Sichuan broth with shrimp, while, for mains, diners can choose from classics such as Chicken fried rice with salted fish and Wok-fried egg noodle with roasted duck and XO sauce. Capping off the meal on a sweet note are popular desserts like Black sesame dumplings with ginger tea and refreshing Chilled sago with pomelo.

The all-you-can-eat dim sum experience is available daily at Summer Palace for lunch from 11.30am to 2.30pm and dinner from 6pm to 10.30pm for an affordable price of B1,150++ per person. For more details, please email dining.bkkhb@ihg.com or call 02-656-0444.

Student events and activities can be organised as planned during mourning for the late Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother, but provincial events should be toned down, Education Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat said on Monday.

Ms Narumon clarified her Oct 25 order for all organisations and schools under the jurisdiction of the Education Ministry to suspend all celebrations and entertainment-related events for one year.

The order went viral on social media and drew opposition from parents who want useful activities that benefit students to continue.

The education minister said she meant informal parties and entertainment events, such as alumni parties and congratulatory events, should be suspended.

The activities that benefit students and education personnel could continue, including sports days, scouting activities and normal sports events, Ms Narumon said.

However, the atmosphere should be appropriate, showing discipline, good manners and respect, the minister said.

The Interior Ministry said interior permanent secretary Unsit Sampuntharat had not banned any activities at provincial level, but advised organisers to ensure they remained appropriate to the mourning atmosphere following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother.

On Monday some municipal offices cancelled their Loy Krathong fairs planned for Wednesday next week. They included tambon Pa Bon municipal office in Phatthalung province and tambon Erawan municipal office in Kanchanaburi province.

The famous Loy Krathong celebration in Sukhothai province will go ahead as scheduled on Oct 27-Nov 5. However, the event’s usual Loy Krathong beauty pageant is cancelled and there will be a daily lighting of candle-lanterns in mourning, according to the Public Relations Department.

Tourism officials were still reviewing plans for other events.

Malaysia’s public broadcaster has apologised for giving the wrong names for the Thai, Singaporean and Indonesian leaders attending the opening ceremony of the Asean Summit on Sunday.

Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) referred to the Thai prime minister as Srettha Thavisin and not by his correct name, Anutin Charnvirakul. Mr Srettha was prime minister before Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was subsequently replaced by Mr Anutin.

Mr Anutin was not alone in being misnamed by the RTM commentator. Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong was wrongly called Lee Hsien Loong, who is senior minister, and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto was refferred to as Joko Widodo, his predecessor.

The Asean summit, hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, was held in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, followed by other high-level meetings with leaders of the group’s partners until Tuesday.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations now has 11 nations after accepting East Timor on Sunday as a new member.

“The commentator also mentioned Thailand’s prime minister as Srettha Thavisin, instead of Anutin Charnvirakul, who currently holds the position,” Malaysian Department of Broadcasting said in a statement reported by Bernama news agency.

RTM took errors seriously and would take action over the mistake, the agency said.

The body of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother was on Sunday evening brought to the Grand Palace, where funeral rites will be held, as people gathered to pay their respects and express heartfelt gratitude to the late former queen.

Her Majesty’s body was conveyed in a royal procession that departed from King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital at 4.26pm. The procession followed a 10-kilometre route to the Grand Palace. Their Majesties the King and Queen, together with other members of the Royal Family, travelled in the procession.

The royal coffin was transported in a grey Volkswagen Caravelle T4 van that had once served as the work vehicle of His Majesty King Rama IX. The same van had also been used to carry the body of the late King in 2016.

Thousands of mourners dressed in black, along with military personnel, police officers, doctors, nurses and officials, lined the procession route along Henri Dunant, Rama IV, Phaya Thai, Si Ayutthaya and Ratchadamnoen roads.

Moments of sorrowful silence alternated with cries of grief as the royal motorcade passed by. Many mourners held portraits of the Queen Mother close to their hearts or raised them above their heads. As the cortege moved along, tears flowed freely among the crowds – and the sky, moments earlier bright and sunny, turned sombre and grey.

‘I arrived on Ratchadamnoen Avenue in front of the Supreme Court in the morning. I never once felt tired while waiting for the royal procession. It is the greatest honour of my life to have the opportunity to bid farewell to Her Majesty,’ said Nanthapop Prombut, a Bangkok resident.

‘Since my childhood, I have seen Her Majesty tirelessly helping people in need, in both urban and rural areas. She cared deeply about the environment and the welfare of all Thais. She will forever remain in the hearts of the people,’ he said.

The royal motorcade reached the Grand Palace at 5.05pm. Her Majesty’s body was first taken to the Phiman Rattaya Throne Hall, where the royal bathing ceremony was conducted.

The royal coffin was then transferred to the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall, where the royal funeral rites were performed.

From Monday onwards, the public may pay their respects before the Queen Mother’s portrait at the Sahathai Samakhom Pavilion in the Grand Palace between 8.30am and 4pm.

From 9th November, members of the public will be able to pay their respects at the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall from 9am to noon.

From urban communities to remote towns, the sense of loss is felt keenly across the kingdom as Thais mourn the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother.

While expressing profound sorrow, citizens also expressed heartfelt gratitude for Her Majesty’s unparalleled grace and dedication to the nation.

In the northeastern region, government agencies, state enterprises and local organisations, as witnessed in Yasothon and Bueng Kan provinces, lowered their flags to half-mast and displayed mourning cloths as a mark of tribute.

Local clothing stores put black attire on display, allowing residents to purchase it and wear it to mourn Her Majesty’s passing.

In Nakhon Ratchasima, Prakakrong Phutklang, a retired teacher, spoke about Her Majesty’s life of service and the positive impact of her projects on the people she served.

“Her Majesty’s dedication to the people made the nation better,” the teacher said.

Kerd Chinsuk, 92, from Phimai district, recalled the time when she met King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit during their visit to the district in 1955 and fondly remembered Her Majesty’s kindness.

Ms Kerd recalled that Her Majesty asked her how old the child was.

She replied, “Six months, and he’s my only child”.

Her Majesty smiled warmly in response and looked radiant, Ms Kerd said.

She said that to honour the memory of the royal family, she has raised her family with sustainable farming principles inspired by King Rama IX (King Bhumibol Adulyadej).

In the Central Plains, locals in Uthai Thani province expressed their intention to mourn for a full year, with black attire becoming a prominent symbol of respect.

At the Saturday market in Nong Chang municipality, vendors and shoppers alike wore black. Stores quickly sold out of black attire.

A vendor tearfully shared her sorrow, calling Her Majesty the “Mother of the Land”, a title that resonated deeply with many.

In Si Racha district of Chon Buri province, residents immediately donned black clothing to express their sorrow.

In Ayutthaya province, staff at the Bang Sai Royal Folk Arts and Crafts Centre have begun decorating the place with mourning cloth, and residents are joining in, reflecting on Her Majesty’s support for vocational training and community education.

In Betong district, Yala province, in the Deep South, the atmosphere was similarly sombre.

Vendors and locals recalled Her Majesty’s visits to remote areas, including a 1976 trip to Betong, where she promoted livelihoods and improved the quality of life for residents.

For them, Her Majesty was not only a queen but a mother figure who deeply cared for every citizen.

Agencies across the country are also opening condolence books for citizens.

Microsoft has unveiled a significant update for Copilot on Windows 11, fulfilling earlier cryptic hints about an upcoming feature that would allow users to “rest their fingers”. This major enhancement introduces voice interaction capabilities, allowing users to converse directly with the AI assistant, marking a crucial step in transforming Windows into a fully integrated AI-native platform.

The core addition is Copilot Voice, which will be generally available in countries supporting Copilot services on Windows 11. Users can initiate conversations with the command “Hey Copilot” and conclude them with “Goodbye”. This opt-in feature, which must be enabled within Copilot, aims for more natural interaction. It will enable tasks such as summarising webpages, setting up meetings, drafting emails or editing documents in Word, all without typing, and it supports continuous, cross-application commands, functioning much like a personal secretary.

Complementing the voice feature is Copilot Vision, which grants the AI the ability to “see” what is on the user’s screen, including tables in images, scanned documents, or PowerPoint slides. When a user shares their desktop or an application, Copilot analyses queries and offers real-time guidance through a “Highlights” feature. This can involve visually indicating where to click or demonstrating usage steps within an application. For users less inclined towards voice, Microsoft is also preparing a Text-in Text-out mode for the Windows Insider build.

The Windows 11 interface is being updated with an Ask Copilot button on the taskbar, resembling a search box, alongside new shortcuts to quickly access the Voice and Vision features, integrating Copilot into daily workflows. Microsoft has reiterated that while search responsiveness is improving, Copilot does not access files or applications directly, instead relying only on the same Windows APIs as Windows Search and requiring explicit user permission for every access request.

Further development is underway with Copilot Actions, currently being tested with Windows Insiders, and Copilot Labs. These initiatives are focused on enabling Copilot to directly manage local files – such as organising images, correcting skewed photos, deleting duplicates, or extracting data from PDFs. These background processes will allow users to monitor progress at any time, with the scope of these local file capabilities expected to expand as the feature matures.

Copilot Connectors on Windows will facilitate data linkage with services across both Microsoft and Google ecosystems, including OneDrive, Outlook, Gmail, Google Calendar, and Contacts. Once authorised, Copilot can search for and retrieve personal data based on verbal commands – for instance, locating a calendar appointment or pulling an old cloud document – and can then immediately pass the results to Word, Excel, or PowerPoint for further work.

In a move to simplify system management, Copilot will also integrate fully with Windows Settings. Users can now type or speak requests like “make the screen easier to read” or “reduce distractions during work”, and Copilot will directly open the relevant settings panel. Microsoft confirms that all new Copilot features operate on an explicit consent basis, meaning the AI only accesses data when permission is granted, and this access can be revoked at any time. While the taskbar experience does not require an NPU chip (the chip designed for AI processing) for the Voice and Vision features on Windows 11, the presence of one will ensure faster and more secure audio and visual processing.

This comprehensive update represents a significant shift, evolving Windows from a standard operating system into a more intuitive personal assistant capable of listening, seeing the screen, and acting upon request. Sound, sight, and AI are positioned to become the new cornerstones of the modern user experience, with Microsoft aiming to establish Windows as the central hub for AI-native experiences for both consumers and enterprises, promising further enterprise details at the next Microsoft Ignite event.

You can’t beat a good old fashioned diamond heist to make media headlines around the world. Even better when it involves an iconic institution like the Louvre museum in Paris home of the much loved Mona Lisa.

Adding to the interest is the sheer audacity of the heist made by four men in broad daylight and taking less than eight minutes to complete.

The brazen nature of the heist and its simplicity has been extremely embarrassing for officials having to admit they had lost a slice of French history. When the Louvre director addressed staff after the heist she was greeted with a chorus of boos as they had regularly complained security was not up to standard.

At the time of writing the culprits haven’t been caught. Perhaps they should put Inspector Clouseau on the case. His investigative skills would prove very useful in this situation. With his infallible philosophy “I believe everything and I believe nothing. I suspect everyone and I suspect no one” he would undoubtedly quickly sort things out.

It is not the first time the Louvre has had a problem with thieves. In 2013 it had to close down for a day after staff walked out complaining that the place was being overrun by “aggressive pickpockets”, including gangs of children. Even the staff were being regularly “dipped” by the gangs.

It’s not just in Paris of course. The New Orleans police department used to display a splendid sign “Beware of Pickpockets and Loose Women”. Now that’s a wicked combination.

The Bangkok heist

I recall back in 1994 in Bangkok we had a rather entertaining diamond heist at a jewellery fair being held at the Convention Centre on Ratchadapisek.

Staff from one major jeweller were transferring six bags of diamonds worth millions of baht inside the exhibition site. Suddenly they were confronted by the sight of US$100 (3,266 baht today) banknotes lying in front of them on the floor. They couldn’t believe their luck and promptly put down their bags of diamonds to scoop up their unexpected bonus.

It will come as no surprise that when they turned to pick up the diamonds, the bags were gone along with a suspicious gentleman who was spotted scuttling out of a door. The fellow jumped on a waiting motorcycle and that was the last anyone saw of him or the bangles.

To rub it in those seductive $100 bills presumably planted by the thief’s accomplice, turned out to be counterfeit.

Hard to swallow

In 2015 a less successful attempt to steal a large diamond in Bangkok involved a Chinese woman who was arrested after apparently swallowing a 10-million baht diamond at a jewellery fair. What prompted considerable comment was the means by which the precious stone was extracted from her stomach. After laxatives failed to work it was determined that a much more direct approach was required, using a pair of surgical pliers. Judging from the look on the lady’s face following the successful extraction, it wasn’t a pleasant experience.

There was also considerable debate whether the hot rock had gained or lost value since its little adventure. After all, it didn’t exactly take the scenic route. One suspects there were not many hi-so ladies in Bangkok who would be too keen on showing off the diamond if they knew where it had been.

Girl’s best friend

There is no doubt that diamonds have a special allure for film stars. Marilyn Monroe didn’t do the reputation of diamonds any harm in the 1953 film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. It is in this production she performed that memorable song, “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend”. The song includes the immortal line: “A kiss may be grand, but it won’t pay the rental.” It was one of Monroe’s best performances.

Another actress Zsa Zsa Gabor got through her fair share of husbands and collected more than a few bangles on the way. She might have experienced difficulty keeping her husbands, but heroically hung on to her jewellery without any problem. As Zsa Zsa once explained: “I never hated a man enough to give his diamonds back.” That was very considerate.

News from the loos

Any mention of the Louvre always reminds me of a magnificent newspaper misprint many years ago. It was in the days when reporters used public telephones to send in their stories to the newsdesk. If the line was bad it could have unfortunate results.

It was such a call that led to the following slip that appeared in the Times. Explaining why it is necessary to charge entrance fees to art exhibitions in London, a British minister was quoted as saying: “You expect to pay for going to the loos.”

The next day the furious reporter was spotted informing a red-faced sub-editor who transcribed his call, that he was talking about the Louvre museum and not the toilets.

Sorry teacher

A bad phone line prompted the following apology in a British newspaper: “A report on the Irish church leaders meeting should have stated that Cardinal Conway’s use of the word ‘horizon’ was ‘prophetic’. Because of a mishearing it appeared as ‘pathetic’.?”

Another dodgy telephone line prompted the following splendid correction in an American newspaper: “It was incorrectly reported that today is T-shirt Appreciation Day. In fact it is actually Teacher Appreciation Day.”

Somewhere between the early alarms, back-to-back meetings and endless notifications, we lost something. We became efficient – frighteningly efficient – but a little less human. We move fast, talk fast and decide fast.

Even our relaxation is scheduled. We meditate through apps, take power naps between calls and track our ‘well-being’ like a KPI. Life has become one long checklist: complete, sync, repeat.

And yet, when you ask people how they are, the most common answer isn’t ‘I’m great.’ It’s ‘I’m tired.’ I meet so many people who look successful on paper but feel empty inside. Entrepreneurs who have built thriving businesses yet feel disconnected from what once inspired them. Managers who deliver results but quietly wonder if their work still matters. Senior leaders who have everything they ever worked for but can’t remember the last time they felt truly alive.

The truth is, we are not built to run like machines. We are human: emotional, creative, unpredictable, beautifully imperfect. We don’t just survive on efficiency; we live on connection, reflection and meaning.

The more we chase speed, the more we risk losing the slower, deeper parts of life, the pause before a big decision, the conversation that goes off script, the silence that allows new ideas to form. Those are the moments where insight, empathy and real leadership begin.

Efficiency is useful, but it should never be the only measure of success. If we focus only on what can be done faster, cheaper or easier, we start to flatten life into numbers and deadlines. We forget that what truly moves people and organisations is not speed, but sincerity.

I’ve seen this in every transformation journey I’ve been part of. The turning point never comes from a new system or process. It comes from a real conversation, the kind where people stop performing and start listening.

When someone dares to ask not just ‘What are we doing?’ but ‘Why are we doing this?’, that’s when everything changes. Teams reconnect. Leaders rediscover their purpose. People remember that behind every strategy and every metric are human beings trying to do meaningful work.

And maybe that’s the art of staying human in a hyper-efficient world, not by rejecting progress, but by grounding it in presence. By slowing down just enough to see, to listen and to care.

So this week, instead of asking yourself, ‘How can I get more done?’ try asking, ‘How can I make what I do more meaningful?’ You may find that the most powerful progress doesn’t come from doing more. It comes from being more: more aware, more human.