Category: The Bangkok Post

SET-listed Global Power Synergy (GPSC) is planning to co-invest in a small modular reactor (SMR) overseas to prepare the company for a similar nuclear power plant project in Thailand.

An SMR is a type of nuclear power technology with a capacity of up to 300 megawatts per unit, about one-third the generating capacity of larger, traditional nuclear power reactors, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

GPSC, the power generation arm of national oil and gas conglomerate PTT Plc, views SMR power plants as a reliable solution to meet its customers’ energy demands, especially for businesses seeking low-carbon, clean energy alternatives.

The company is in talks with a prospective business partner to jointly carry out an SMR project, with a deal expected to be completed next year, said Sirimet Leepagorn, president and acting chief operating officer of GPSC.

The targeted partnership would also supply power to an overseas petrochemical complex, he said.

The deal could pave the way for developing an SMR project in Thailand, provided the country opens up opportunities for private sector involvement in such plants, said Mr Sirimet.

“We may talk with our partner about investing in an SMR project here,” he said.

GPSC is confident it can smoothly adopt the SMR technology, thanks to budget availability and a plan to educate and train its employees on nuclear power know-how.

The joint project requires an investment of roughly US$6 million per MW.

SMRs have the potential to help Thailand generate more clean power and ensure long-term national energy security because, unlike renewable energy, nuclear energy enables power plant operators to deliver a steady supply of electricity. The sun and wind are intermittent sources of energy as their electricity generation capacity depends largely on weather patterns.

SMR technology is capable of reliably meeting domestic electricity needs while lowering carbon emissions, aligning with PTT’s net-zero target, a balance between greenhouse gas emissions and absorption, said Mr Sirimet.

A 30-year-old woman hiking on Doi Pui Luang was seriously injured when struck by lightning during a thunderstorm on Sunday evening, leading to a difficult two-hour emergency evacuation down the mountain.

Reports said she was struck by lightning about 6pm.

She was among about 20 tourists caught on the mountain by the storm while hiking near Ban Huai Hi in tambon Huai Pu Ling of Muang district.

The woman, a Thai identified only as Pattaraphon, was left unconscious with critical injuries, according to local news reports. Her companions gave her cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

A rescue team carried the injured woman down the mountain in heavy rain, the trail slippery and the footing treacherous. It took them more than two hours to reach the bottom.

Reports said the woman was responsive during the trip to Srisangwan Hospital, where she was admitted at 8.45pm. Ms Pattaraphon has serious burns and was transferred to Nakornping Hospital in Chiang Mai. She is reportedly a native of Nakhon Si Thammarat and had travelled to the North from Bangkok.

Muang Mae Hong Son chief Yutthana Jaoduree warned visitors to exercise caution during stormy weather in such circumstances. They should turn off their phones and other electronic devices, and avoid taking shelter under tall trees or in huts in open areas.

Local residents said lightning strikes were common on Doi Pui Luang at this time of year and often killed livestock.

Re: “Cultural confusion”, (PostBag, Oct 11) and “Off to a dancing start”, (BP, Oct 10).

Mr Vichai believes tourism should focus on Thai culture and achievements, and suggests Ban Rak Thai should be excluded because it’s Chinese.

But the fact is, it’s a tourist attraction — try finding somewhere to park your car there at a weekend — and that’s because it’s Chinese.

But at the same time it is an example of Thai hospitality in action. At the end of the Chinese civil war in 1946 various Kuo Min Tang (losing side) armies were left marooned in Burma.

The UN offered to fly them to join their comrades in Taiwan, and Thailand offered to take in those who chose not to go, provided they left their guns at the border.

Ban Rak Thai is one of the consequences. Its name, “love Thai village”, expresses the inhabitants’ gratitude.

Colin Roth

Can’t help but gloat

Re: “Opposition leader wins Nobel prize”, (BP, Oct 11).

Karma is real and alive. The Nobel Peace Prize for 2025 has gone to Maria Corina Machado “for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy”

A wonderful winner for her work for democracy by making positive contributions rather than another candidate who has been working against democracy. He had been quietly promoting his right to win a medal but it would have been the destruction of the credibility of the award.

Oh dear, President Donald Trump didn’t win, but he could look for inspiration from this and many other prior winners.

Well done Maria, thank you for your work.

Dennis Fitzgerald

Healthy minds

Re: “Tackling mental health woes”, (Editorial, Oct 5).

The unprecedented rise of mental health issues across Thailand and across South and South East Asia is quite alarming. It reflects how mental health is affecting our life and how important it is to our existence.

World Mental Health Day is observed every year on Oct 10 to raise awareness about mental health issues around the world and to mobilise efforts in support of mental well-being.

Education institutions, organisations, and community groups across the world conducted seminars, interactive workshops, art exhibitions, and awareness rallies. Psychologists and counsellors addressed common mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression, emphasising the need to seek help without hesitation.

At the local level, students and teachers participated in discussions and shared personal reflections on maintaining emotional balance and empathy in daily life. Posters, slogans, and creative performances highlighted the theme, “Mental Health is a Universal Human Right.”

The observance of World Mental Health Day 2025 reminded everyone that mental health awareness is not limited to a single day — it requires continuous care, compassion, and community support.

The day reinforced the message that mental health matters for everyone, everywhere. By spreading understanding and kindness, we can build a healthier, more inclusive, and emotionally resilient world.

Saikat Kumar Basu

Street vendors and food stalls have long defined Bangkok’s urban rhythm — sizzling woks, plastic stools and the hum of late-night chatter form an inseparable part of the city’s identity. To locals, they are the pulse of everyday life; to visitors, a culinary adventure.

Yet beneath the charm lies a perennial conflict: culture versus order, livelihood versus law.

That tension has shaped decades of city policy. Today, it returns to the spotlight as the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) embarks on a new chapter in its effort to reclaim and reorganise the capital’s sidewalks.

A February survey by Nida Poll underscores just how deeply street vending is woven into the city’s social fabric.

Out of 1,319 Bangkok residents surveyed, more than 92% said they had bought goods from street vendors. Most praised the convenience and affordability, but 59% agreed that vending should be allowed only on wide sidewalks, while 13.8% supported a complete ban. A third believed the issue would never be fully resolved.

For City Hall, striking a balance is nothing new.

Successive governors have sought to reclaim pedestrian spaces without destroying livelihoods. One of the most sweeping efforts came in 2016, when then-governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra eliminated all unofficial vending zones in the city’s Central Business District, including prime areas from Ratchaprasong to Sukhumvit.

With the deployment of municipal officers and military support, more than 10,000 vendors across 23 districts were displaced.

“The 2016 order destroyed our livelihood for years,” recalled Panisara Piyasomroj, a noodle stall owner who used to trade on Sarasin Road in Pathumwan district.

“Sarasin Street Food was about to be listed in the Guinness Book of Records, and just days later, it fell silent. We weren’t the ones causing problems, yet we paid the price.”

Vendors like Ms Panisara were relocated to an open area in front of Lumphini Park, opposite King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. Sales dropped significantly, but many persevered.

“We have less space and fewer tables,” said Prapaporn Anatabut, who runs a hotpot stall. “Everyone just works harder to make the same income.”

City’s first hawker Centre

Now, that patch of open space is being cleared once again — this time for something new.

The Lumphini Hawker Centre, a pilot project by the BMA, aims to formalise street food trading within a dedicated, purpose-built space.

Construction began in June and is scheduled for completion by February next year.

The centre, designed with an eco-friendly, open-air concept, will house 88 stalls per shift, each two square metres in size. Vendors will work in two rotations: 5am-4pm and 4pm-midnight, catering to both early park-goers and late-night diners.

“This hawker centre will not only raise the standards of Bangkok’s street food — making it more orderly, clean and safe — but also help alleviate hardship for low-income earners,” said BMA spokesman Aekvarunyoo Amrapala.

“Priority will go to original vendors affected by the Sarasin Road reorganisation.”

The building features natural ventilation (avoiding air-conditioning), muted roof colours to reduce glare near the hospital and plans to replant large trees temporarily relocated during construction.

Eligibility for stalls is limited to Thai nationals with State Welfare Cards or annual incomes below 180,000 baht. Contracts will be renewed annually.

BMA officials describe the project as Thailand’s first purpose-built hawker centre in a central business district — part of a broader urban vision to improve walkability, reorganise sidewalks and make public areas safer, particularly for the elderly and disabled.

Smaller “mini hawker centres” have already been developed in several districts, often in collaboration with private partners, to provide affordable meals for office workers.

Mr Aekvarunyoo says the Lumphini model draws direct inspiration from Singapore’s globally admired hawker system, blending regulation with shared facilities and communal dining areas.

“Some vendors in other parts of the city may need to move to side streets instead of main roads,” he said. “It’s a balancing act between maintaining order and preserving livelihoods.”

For many vendors, the transition brings a mix of hope and hesitation.

“This is our chance to survive legally,” said Ms Panisara. “But we still worry about rent and whether customers will follow us inside.”

“The new space gives us structure and fewer disputes. At least we’ll be safe from rain and power cuts,” added Jirathpong Panpai, who runs a 50-baht all-you-can-eat stall.

As Bangkok shifts from informal sidewalk stalls to organised food hubs, the transformation represents more than just policy reform — it’s a test of whether the city can modernise without losing the flavour that made it world-famous.

For some vendors, it’s a path to stability; for others, a struggle for space. Yet the hope remains that Bangkok’s street food will not disappear — only evolve.

As Thailand prepares to host the 2025 SEA Games this December, a controversy has emerged over the use of the term “Muay” instead of “Muaythai” for the boxing event.

Some argue that dropping “Thai” strips the sport of its national identity, given that Muaythai is widely regarded as Thailand’s national martial art.

The issue has now reached Parliament, where Tourism and Sports Minister Artthakorn Sirilatthayakorn vowed to push the SEA Games Council to restore the term “Muaythai” to the listing, claiming it represents Thailand’s soft power and national heritage.

Such remarks, however, reflect a troubling pattern — one that prioritises nationalist sentiment over sound reasoning and global perspective.

Sport, by its very nature, is universal. Turning an international competition into a platform for asserting national ownership risks alienating neighbours and undermining regional unity.

Thailand has long sought to globalise Muaythai. The sport has gained widespread recognition, with training camps around the world and thousands of foreign practitioners embracing the art. Yet it has never fully crossed over into the global mainstream.

Private promoters have succeeded where governments have not, adapting the discipline for broader audiences, as seen in ONE Championship, while officialdom clings stubbornly to symbols of national pride rather than evolving with the times.

Insisting that the SEA Games must label the sport “Muaythai” may satisfy patriotic pride, but it risks confining the art within national borders. If Thailand truly wants its martial art to flourish internationally, openness, not ownership, is the path forward.

The word “Muay” — meaning boxing — is itself Thai, and perfectly sufficient. Other nations’ martial arts such as taekwondo, judo and karate have achieved global recognition without constant reference to their countries of origin.

Moreover, insisting on the term “Muaythai” could even prompt boycotts from countries such as Cambodia and Laos, which claim their own traditional forms of the sport under different names. Such a move would risk turning what should be a celebration of unity into a clash of national pride.

This debate is not new. At the previous SEA Games two years ago, Cambodia stirred controversy by branding its boxing event “Kun Khmer.” Thailand protested at the time, calling for fair recognition. It would now be inconsistent and unwise for Thailand, as host, to repeat such a divisive and unacceptable move.

Fortunately, Chaiyapak Siriwat, vice president and chief operating officer of the Southeast Asian Games Federation, confirms the official term this year will remain simply “Muay”.

That decision deserves full support. It reflects maturity and respect for sporting spirit, rather than a shallow nationalism that serves no one.

A useful precedent can be found in the compromise over Sepak Takraw, a sport jointly claimed by Malaysia and Thailand. In the end, both sides accepted the hybrid name “Sepak Takraw,” allowing the sport to grow without contention and creating a true win-win outcome.

Muaythai is, without question, a source of national pride. But pride must never outweigh the essence of sport — unity, health, inspiration, and friendship. The government and its sports authorities should remember that spreading Thai culture through sport requires humility, not hegemony.

Selling kratom products, including leaves and tea, within 1 kilometre of a school is now strictly prohibited, with violators facing fines of up to 50,000 baht, says the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB).

Pol Maj Suriya Singhagamol, ONCB secretary-general, said the ban took effect on Sunday and all regional offices nationwide have been directed to enforce the new regulation.

Under the regulation, vendors are barred from selling kratom within a 1km radius of any education institution.

The new rule also prohibits sales through mobile stalls, vehicles, hawking or temporary stands in all public areas.

Pol Maj Suriya said public awareness campaigns are being launched. He emphasised the ban is not intended to suppress the kratom trade but to ensure its proper use and safeguard public health, particularly to prevent young people from gaining easy access to the substance.

He urged the public to report violations via the ONCB’s 1386 hotline.

The regulation is based on the Kratom Plant Act 2022, which governs sales, advertising and consumption.

The latest measure was introduced amid growing concerns over its widespread availability, including at roadside stalls near schools.

The “Thailand Amusement and Attraction Parks Expo 2025 (TAAPE 2025)” and the inaugural “Thailand Billiards Expo 2025 (TBE 2025)” will be held on the same premises, at Impact Exhibition Hall 6-7, Muang Thong Thani, daily from 10am to 5pm, starting Wednesday to Friday.

TAAPE is an international trade show and business matching event for the amusement, theme park and tourist attraction industries in the Asean region. It will serve as a key platform for manufacturers and designers of products related to amusement parks and attractions, featuring over 300 brands from 30 countries including Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, China, Japan, Singapore, Germany, India, France, Malaysia, Australia, the US, Indonesia, Russia and Taiwan.

Exhibitors will showcase products and services such as roller coasters, water rides, video games, virtual reality experiences, themed entertainment, children’s amusement facilities and child developmental toys, as well as food and beverages. The event will also feature a range of workshops and demonstrations on the latest advancements in games, sports and modern toys.

Held for the first time in Thailand, the TBE will provide an opportunity for the local billiards industry to witness the latest innovations in equipment from around the world. The event is believed to inspire a new generation to take an interest in billiards, further establishing Thailand as a regional hub for the sport.

Both expos aim to establish shared standards, facilitate technology exchange and jointly expand markets, integrating the cultural, tourism and sports industries. The goal is for entertainment to stimulate the tourism economy and for sports to be a driving force for the regional economy.

As climate concerns mount and urban living intensifies, Thailand’s property sector is turning to sustainability as both a necessity and a market opportunity.

Developers and consultants say “green homes” are no longer a niche concept, instead quickly becoming an expectation across generations of buyers.

“Air pollution, flooding, rising temperatures, and limited green spaces are no longer distant threats. They affect residents’ daily lives,” said Somboon Wasinchutchawal, chief financial officer at Frasers Property Thailand (FPT) and acting chief executive of Frasers Property Home.

“Developers must rethink housing design to respond to these challenges.”

URBAN LIVING PRESSURES

Mr Somboon outlined four pressing external threats that increasingly shape residential design: flooding, air pollution, insufficient greenery, and the urban heat island effect.

For example, Bangkok has only 7.8 square metres of green space per person, less than the World Health Organization’s benchmark of 9 sq m.

“Thailand’s PM2.5 levels are 4.8 times higher than global standards,” he said. “This is no longer a seasonal inconvenience, but rather a structural health risk. Homes must now act as protective environments, not just shelters.”

Compounding the problem is energy demand. Electricity use in Bangkok has surged by 26% over the past five years, driven mainly by air conditioning in hotter weather.

Most of Thailand’s power still comes from carbon-based fuels, highlighting the link between household consumption and national emissions.

“Designing homes that consume less energy directly supports carbon reduction,” said Mr Somboon.

HIDDEN RISKS INSIDE

Environmental challenges are not confined to the outdoors. Indoor living poses health risks, particularly from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by paints, carpets, wallpapers and synthetic materials.

“Research shows indoor VOC concentrations are often higher than outdoors,” he said. “That makes ventilation, material selection, and design critical to residents’ health.”

Water use is also climbing, rising 20% per household in the last five years.

Meanwhile, waste mismanagement remains acute, with 23% of household waste improperly disposed of, often ending up in waterways, said Mr Somboon.

“The question is how to design homes that save water, reduce waste and support healthy air,” he said. “Passive design — using airflow, daylight and heat control — and active systems such as clean-air exchange units must both play a role.”

EMBEDDING ESG IN DESIGN

FPT has begun adopting design principles that extend beyond aesthetics to sustainability metrics, including heat-insulating roofs, water-saving fixtures, and construction waste management.

Worker welfare is also part of the equation, with proper housing camps and care for workers’ families built into project planning.

“From design to operations, we now calculate potential carbon reductions step by step,” said Mr Somboon. “This applies not only to offices, malls, hotels and warehouses, but also residential projects.”

Three main strategies guide the approach: energy and environment, health and wellness, and smart features and facilities.

Solar rooftops are being installed on single houses, clubhouses, and even swimming pools.

Air systems with PM2.5 filters are now standard in detached homes. Some projects also plan in-home food waste digesters.

“Every unit has at least 15% green space by law, but we go beyond that,” he said. “Gen Z in particular views sustainability as a must. They are willing to pay more for green homes, and Baby Boomers are prepared to pay up to 10% extra.”

LEED AND GREENER HOMES

Soravit Angsuvarungsri, senior sustainability consultant at SCG Building and Living Care Consulting, said The Grand Riverfront Ratchapruek-Rama 5 project was the first landed housing development in Thailand and Southeast Asia to secure LEED Gold certification — a level awarded to buildings that earn between 60 and 79 points from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) system.

“LEED homes remain rare worldwide, with certified buildings making up 25% of the market,” Mr Soravit said.

“Of these, only 5% are innovators, 20% market leaders, 70% follow typical practices, and 5% are ‘law-breakers’. This shows how much room there is for growth.”

The project applies LEED’s residential framework to single-family homes, addressing water, drainage, insulation, energy use, and indoor environmental quality.

“Water conservation is vital, as about 70% of household water use is indoor,” he said.

Fixtures are benchmarked, with faucets at 3-5 litres of water per minute, showers 5-6.5 litres, and toilets 3.8-4.5 litres per flush. Leak and pressure tests are conducted before handover.

Drainage is carefully engineered, with rainwater and air conditioning condensate routed away from the home’s foundations to prevent subsidence, termites and mould, said Mr Soravit.

“In many Thai homes, the second floor becomes unusable at midday due to heat from the roof,” he said. “By upgrading insulation to 22.5 centimetres — three times the normal standard — we keep upstairs spaces comfortable and cut cooling needs.”

Lightweight concrete blocks at least 10 cm thick provide superior heat and sound insulation compared with traditional bricks, while windows use heat-resistant glazing to reduce thermal transfer without sacrificing views.

SOLAR POWER and GREEN SPACE

Energy efficiency is reinforced by installing 4.4-kilowatt solar rooftops on every unit, cutting annual electricity bills by about 70,000 baht, or 75% of typical consumption, said Mr Soravit.

“We also dedicate 30% of the project area to green space, supporting biodiversity and improving residents’ quality of life,” he said.

Indoor air quality is addressed with heat recovery ventilators adapted from commercial use, which filter out 99.7% of PM2.5 and exchange heat so incoming air is cool and clean.

“Bangkok receives seasonal smog every year. Families want homes where the air is safe,” said Mr Soravit.

TECHNOLOGY and MATERIAL CHOICES

Homes also integrate real-time indoor air quality monitoring, tracking PM2.5, humidity, carbon dioxide and VOCs. Low-VOC materials are used in paints, adhesives, and finishes to limit emissions.

Bathrooms receive special attention, with humidity-controlled ventilation to reduce mould and odours.

Home automation systems let residents set optimal cycles for airflow and dehumidification.

“Our aim is to enhance residents’ well-being while lowering their utility bills. Sustainability cannot come at the expense of comfort,” he said.

GENERATIONAL SHIFT

Mr Somboon also highlighted shifting consumer preferences. Surveys show strong interest in sustainable housing across all age groups, with Gen Z buyers placing the greatest emphasis on environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors.

Baby Boomers are prepared to pay a premium for eco-friendly homes that promise lower bills and better health outcomes.

“Every generation is showing a willingness to pay more,” he said. “But it is Gen Z, now entering the property market, who will shape demand going forward.”

REGIONAL BENCHMARK

Thailand’s adoption of ESG in housing mirrors global trends where green building is moving from experimental to mainstream.

Developers said once early projects prove cost-effective and attractive to buyers, standards quickly rise across the industry.

“The challenge is to adapt global benchmarks like LEED to local conditions,” Mr Soravit said. “Heat, humidity and air pollution make Thai homes different, but the solutions we pioneer here could set benchmarks for Southeast Asia.”

Mr Somboon agreed, stressing that sustainability must remain central, not decorative.

“This is not about greenwashing — it’s about redesigning homes so that people live healthier, pay less for utilities, and leave a lighter footprint on the planet,” he said.

With developers investing in solar energy, ventilation systems, waste management and sustainable materials, the housing market is entering a new phase. Industry leaders believe early adopters will gain a strong market edge as environmental and regulatory pressures increase, said Mr Somboon.

“Green homes are no longer a luxury,” he said. “They are a necessity for urban living in a warming world.”

As Thai developers push to integrate ESG into residential design, they are not only improving lives, but also positioning the country as a regional leader in sustainable living, noted Mr Somboon.

The sunset of UNAIDS would endanger the lives of those at risk of HIV infection and those living with the virus across the Asia-Pacific region, the Apcom Foundation has warned.

The Thailand-based LGBTQ+ rights advocate objects to the proposed closure of UNAIDS following UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ UN80 Initiation report, which suggested “sunsetting” UNAIDS by the end of 2026 and transferring its mandate into a broader UN framework.

Apcom said dismantling UNAIDS would undermine decades of progress in the regional HIV response and called on the UNAIDS Programme Coordinating Board to reject any proposal accelerating its closure before a full, evidence-based review.

The foundation said UNAIDS had already undergone substantial reforms, including a 55 per cent staff reduction and consolidation of country offices. Premature closure, it said, would be “potentially dangerous” given that prevention gaps and inequities in the region remain severe.

In 2024, around 6.9 million people were living with HIV in the Asia-Pacific, with 300,000 new infections and 150,000 Aids-related deaths.

Apcom warned that without UNAIDS’ leadership, fragile gains in prevention, treatment, and human rights protection could regress.

“Dismantling UNAIDS now would erode trust in international commitments, fragment the response, and jeopardise millions of lives,” Apcom said, urging member states to preserve the community-led governance model.

The Pheu Thai Party on Sunday warned that Bhumjaithai’s charter amendment draft lacks public participation, while suggesting its version should be used as the main draft for deliberation.

Three drafts sponsored by Pheu Thai, Bhumjaithai and the People’s Party (PP) are scheduled for their first reading in parliament on Tuesday and Wednesday. Each offers a different approach as to how a constitution drafting assembly (CDA) should be created.

Chanin Rungthanakiat, Pheu Thai’s deputy spokesman, said the party stands ready to vote for all three drafts to initiate a process for creating the CDA to draft a new charter.

However, he expressed concerns about Bhumjaithai’s proposal, saying its lack of a direct line to public opinion would see CDA members selected entirely by parliament without going through any public screening first.

He said a CDA formed without public scrutiny or even indirect participation from voters could lead to potential collusion, resulting in a drafting body filled with members lacking proper qualifications.

The PP’s version, meanwhile, faces the possibility of being challenged in the Constitutional Court, he said. The PP’s proposed advisory council is directly elected by voters, which could be seen as against the court ruling that prohibits direct election.

“If the PP’s charter proposal is submitted to the court for a ruling, the charter amendment process could be delayed”, he said.

Instead, Mr Chanin said, Pheu Thai has proposed a 151-member CDA that combines public and parliamentary selection: 100 members indirectly elected through a two-stage process involving both the public and parliament, and the 51 others appointed by parliament.

He said the party believes its mixed model strikes a balance between public representation and constitutional compliance while minimising risk of judicial intervention.

Pheu Thai will propose that, should all three drafts pass the first reading, its version should be adopted as the main one for further examination, he said.

“Given the restriction imposed by the court, our draft is the most feasible and inclusive. It prevents collusion and ensures no single group can dominate the drafting process,” Mr Chanin said.

He added that if the political agreement between Bhumjaithai and the PP still holds, the charter rewrite bid is expected to receive support from the Senate to kickstart the process.