Category: The Bangkok Post

In these chaotic times that many characterise in terms of rollback, regression, and retreat, there is one measure that continues to surge ahead — global temperature. The year 2024 was the hottest ever since worldwide temperature recording began. Though climate occupied a major space in discussions at the UN General Assembly in New York City last month, significant progress did not emerge from the fractured international environment.

President Trump called climate change a “con job” when he addressed the assembly, making it clear that the US will not join in working toward a solution to the climate crisis while he is in the White House.

Meanwhile, the health impacts of extreme heat are rising at a furious pace. Cardiovascular and kidney failure are common byproducts of soaring heat with deadly consequences. Research by the World Economic Forum projects that heatwaves will be responsible for two million additional deaths in the next 25 years.

While we are all put at risk by extreme heat, those who are most vulnerable to its ravages, and with the least recourse to protect themselves, are workers who must subject themselves to dangerous temperatures just to earn a living. Indeed, the UN’s International Labour Organization posits that 70% of the global workforce is at risk from death or injury because of extreme heat. A new joint report from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) calls for action to ameliorate the harm.

The prescription to prevent heat-related illness and death is not sophisticated, but it is effective: water, rest, and cooling. Yet, too many workers doing outdoor labour in the informal sector do not have access to those lifesaving measures or fear they will be sanctioned for using them.

Now, advocates and policymakers around the world are joining together to create heat action plans and laws designed to protect workers. Because conditions differ geographically and needs vary by sector, plans should be locally targeted and must involve workers in the planning process to be effective.

In earlier times, workers in informal sectors may have had the latitude to pace their work to avoid the hottest part of the day. The 24/7 demands ofcontemporary work have obliterated that latitude. The UK’s National Centre for Social Research now estimates that 60% of informal outdoor workers must work during peak midday hours.

Some heat action plans have had success in shifting work in particular sectors away from the hottest part of the day by adding a lengthy midday break. When the heat action plan in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh included carving out peak heat hours from construction schedules, those workers without a place to cool off during the midday found that their waking/working hours had been stretched to a 20-hour day, so cooling/resting facilities were added to worksites. This again highlights the importance of ensuring that occupational heat policies are worker-centred to be effective and to avoid unintended consequences penalising the very workers they are meant to help.

Thailand is to be commended for revising its national occupational heat standard in 2006 to use a Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index to more accurately project dangerous heat. But there are questions about enforcement of the policy and its effectiveness, as many of the prescriptions are suggestions for employers, rather than requirements, so it may be time to update the standard.

In Bangkok, the rapid pace of development has created its own extreme heat challenges. Use of concrete, glass and other heat-absorbing building materials has helped created an “urban heat island” effect in the city, making it even hotter than surrounding areas. Though the city continues to make progress in creating neighbourhood parks, there is still a long way to go to reach the WHO’s recommendation of a minimum of 9 square metres of green space per person to aid in cooling and other health benefits.

Heatwaves in Thailand, and throughout Southeast Asia, can be particularly lethal, due to the region’s high humidity, as the body primarily cools itself through the evaporation of sweat, which is impeded by humidity. But as deadly, recent heatwaves in Europe, Japan and the US attest, the adverse effect of extreme heat is now felt far from the equator.

In the past 25 years, heat-related deaths have more than doubled in the US. The Biden administration had proposed landmark workplace protections that included a national heat standard which would trigger enforceable requirements for employers, including the provision of drinkable water, cooling rest areas and 15-minute breaks. Unfortunately, the current Trump administration has shown no interest in implementing this standard.

In the absence of a national heat standard, US states are moving forward to establish measures to protect workers. Seven states have passed outdoor workplace heat standards and more are being considered.

California has the oldest state heat standard, and it provides a case study on the effectiveness of such laws. Researchers recently compared county-level data concerning outdoor workplace heat deaths in California to neighboring states without heat standards. They demonstrated that the heat standard was associated with a 43% reduction in deaths.

Even as some states are moving forward with worker protections, Texas and Florida have banned their own cities from creating municipal heat standards. Sadly, support for worker health and safety in the US is breaking down along political party lines. The issue of workplace protections against extreme heat should not create a partisan divide, nor should it pit employer against worker. The new WHO/WMO report states that, “Protection of workers from extreme heat is not just a health imperative but an economic necessity.”

The report found that worker productivity drops by 2-3% for every degree above 20 degrees Celsius. This, coupled with the human and economic cost of heat-related illness, disability and death, should make action on extreme heat a priority for all of us.

We must engage workers, trade unions, employers, health experts and local authorities in developing plans that are applicable to their communities. Public education and awareness must be raised about the signs of heat distress. Common sense access to clean water, shade and rest must be ensured. And adoption of innovative technology that safeguards health while maintaining productivity should be prioritised.

Workers around the world should be protected from the effects of extreme heat — from the highway worker spreading asphalt in Texas to the motorcycle delivery driver navigating rush-hour traffic in Bangkok. While the frustrating one-step-forward/two-steps-back dance on climate change continues nationally and globally, we can and must do something to mitigate its devastating impact on those in our midst.

The Royal Thai Police are intensifying investigations into alleged nominee land holdings by foreigners on Koh Samui and Koh Phangan in Surat Thani, a practice that may threaten economic security, especially in key tourist areas.

Pol Lt Gen Yingyos Thepjamnong, assistant commissioner, said authorities are working closely with Surat Thani provincial officials, the Land Department, the Department of Business Development and security agencies to scrutinise the cases.

Preliminary findings indicate some Israeli nationals on the islands face multiple charges, including operating car rental businesses, working without permits and conducting tour operations without authorisation.

Pol Lt Gen Yingyos said all probes would be conducted transparently, fairly and in accordance with the law.

Meanwhile, two Israeli tourists were arrested with fake US dollar bills totalling US$5,653 (184,860 baht) after they exchanged some of them for Thai baht at Samui airport.

Pol Lt Col Phanumat Chukuea, detective inspector-general at Bo Phut police station, said Matan Moshe, 25, and Omer Sarusi, 28, were detained on Saturday under warrants issued by the Samui Court.

The two separately exchanged $50 notes at a Government Savings Bank kiosk at Samui airport last Monday, police said. Mr Moshe exchanged five notes for 7,280 baht, while Mr Sarusi exchanged 10 notes for 14,560 baht, police said, adding the GSB later confirmed the notes were counterfeit.

Bo Phut police arrested the pair at their accommodation in tambon Bophut and found 48 $100 notes, 17 $50 notes and three $1 notes in their possession. The suspects told police they had brought the US dollar bills from Israel and were unaware they were fake. They face charges of forging and possessing counterfeit foreign banknotes.

After losing 9% year-on-year in the first nine months of 2025, the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index is moving into the final quarter with more bullish sentiment, topping 1,300 points in early October thanks to the new government’s economic stimulus and an easing cycle for Thai interest rates.

The Anutin Charnvirakul government unveiled a stimulus package for its four-month tenure, aiming to lift domestic consumption and public confidence. Core measures include an expanded “Khon La Khrueng” co-payment scheme, easing consumers’ cost of living, and debt restructuring support for small businesses, supplemented by tourism revival initiatives.

Endorsed by the cabinet on Oct 7 with a budget of 44 billion baht, the co-payment scheme creates a powerful but temporary boost for the last two months of the year. Petrol prices were previously cut, while electricity tariff and train fare reductions are on the cards.

Tourism revival measures, including incentives for second-tier destinations, are expected to potentially add 2-4 million visitors over the next 12-18 months, according to CGS International Securities (Thailand).

“The Thai bourse is being driven mainly by the performance of the new government’s stimulus policies, such as the co-payment scheme and secondary province tourism promotion, all of which are positive for stock investment,” said Apichat Poobunjirdkul, senior strategist at Tisco Securities.

To stay firmly above 1,300 points, daily trading value on the SET should exceed 40 billion baht, said Mr Apichat, as the current trading value of roughly 30 billion baht is considered “too low”.

The SET should also benefit from falling Thai interest rates, he said.

“Past data indicates the Thai index reacted positively to every rate cut by the Bank of Thailand, except for the reduction during the pandemic,” said Mr Apichat.

A cut of 25 basis points (bps) generally lifts the SET index by 50 points, according to the brokerage.

SHORT-TERM BOOST

Chaiyatorn Sricharoen, an analyst at CGS International Securities (Thailand), said the brokerage anticipates incremental spending of 40-70 billion baht from the co-payment programme, equivalent to a GDP bump of 0.2-0.4 percentage points.

“In our view, the scheme ensures high marginal propensity to consume, especially among low-income households who must co-pay, but the exclusion of chain retailers could divert share from modern trade to traditional trade,” he said.

Meanwhile, electricity tariff cuts are seen as the most impactful lever among the cost-of-living relief programme in terms of lifting consumption. A 5-10% cut or roughly 0.20-0.40 baht per megawatt-hour (unit) could save households 75-150 baht per month and create modest demand from fast-moving consumer goods companies, according to CGS.

Despite near-term visibility of the government’s policy package, structural reforms remain politically uncertain, said Mr Chaiyatorn.

“We believe structural policies, such as infrastructure investment, agricultural upgrades, and long-stay visa reform, face significant political constraints under a minority coalition government,” he said.

Rakpong Chaisuparakul, senior vice-president of KGI Securities (Thailand), said while domestic factors look more positive regarding a short-term stimulus, most of the prepared packages were largely priced in.

As a consequence, the brokerage believes the SET index could extend some gains in October, but the upside seems to be limited, he said.

EASING CYCLE

Soraphol Tulayasathien, senior executive vice-president of the SET, cited the Federal Reserve’s rate cut in September, the first reduction since December 2024, as one of the reasons boosting the Thai index by 3% last month.

Despite the rebound, Thailand’s benchmark index fell by 9% in the first nine months of this year, with foreign investors net sellers of 96.2 billion baht worth of Thai stocks.

The Fed is widely expected to slash the federal funds rate when it meets on Oct 28-29, lowering borrowing costs and preventing the shaky job market from collapsing.

According to CME Group’s FedWatch tool, investors expect the Federal Open Market Committee to trim the rate by 25 bps to a range of 3.75% to 4%, marking the lowest level since December 2022.

“Following the September cut, two more reductions are expected,” said Mr Soraphol.

Monetary policy easing has prompted global investors to increase their holdings in stocks and safe-haven assets, particularly gold, the price of which has surged to record highs in global markets.

In Thailand, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) on Oct 8 left its key interest rate unchanged at 1.5%, after a reduction of 25 bps in August.

The central bank has lowered the policy rate four times, by 100 bps, since October last year.

Veeravat Virochpoka, head of research at FSS International Investment Advisory Securities, said the MPC is expected to trim rates once or twice over the next 12 months, bringing the one-day repurchase rate to 1% to bolster the subdued economy.

Pipat Luengnaruemitchai, emerging Asia economist at BofA Securities, shared a similar view, adding most MPC members remain relatively hawkish, preferring to preserve policy space and believing monetary policy is not an effective tool to support the economy.

“While the decision to maintain the rate this time was in line with our expectations, we continue to anticipate cuts to the terminal rate of 1%, given the weak economic momentum, low inflation and strong baht,” he said.

Looking ahead, Mr Soraphol said challenges remain in terms of the US debt ceiling, the state of the US economy, and uncertainties surrounding American fiscal and monetary policy.

Stock market analysts agree, noting the direction of US monetary policy remains unclear as US macro readings are still strong and Fed officials are split into dovish and hawkish camps.

Bangkok Illustration Fair (BKKIF) is set to return from Oct 23-26 at CentralWorld Pulse on the 7th floor of CentralWorld. This year, BKKIF will showcase illustrations by 201 artists. Of the 200 artists, 132 are Thai and 68 are from 16 countries including Brunei, China, Greece, Japan, Indonesia, Italy, New Zealand, the Philippines and Russia. Besides these 200 artists, Claudia, a popular artist who was voted for by audiences at BKKIF 2024, will also feature.

At the press conference for BKKIF 2025 at CentralWorld, Vip Buraphadeja, a co-founder of the fair, expressed his excitement when the team was informed by people in the industry that it is the largest in Southeast Asia.

“Our goal was to create a platform that brings artists from different generations, veterans or newcomers, together. Since we focus on diversity, BKKIF accepts all kinds of artwork including hand drawings, digital artwork, collages and cartoons. We have been trying to find possibilities to expand artwork on many platforms. Thus, we invited various organisations, such as art galleries, publications, café and airlines, which we call ‘reviewers’, to come to BKKIF. We hope to create a community and an ecosystem artists will join,” said Vip.

When asked how the BKKIF founders feel about creating the largest illustration fair in Southeast Asia, Chonticha Homklinkaew, said they focus on quality rather than quantity.

“BKKIF focuses on quality of work. Every selected artist who showcases will have opportunities for work. There are reviewers and sponsors who come to BKKIF and select artists whom they want to work with. This community will expand and have solid relationships,” said Chonticha.

Vip added: “I agree with Chonticha. To create the largest event is not so difficult since we can sell more booths, but we do not focus on that. What we are proud of is that we have a community where artists are selected and reviewers are invited to view artwork. This is how we create a pretty large ecosystem which we can be proud of.”

International artists have been interested in BKKIF since its first year in 2001, and the submitting work online for selection has only increased.

“It is great to have artwork from many countries at BKKIF, as artists and visitors are able to see a wide range and learn about the different styles of each country. It provides an exchange of experiences and ideas,” said Vip.

Oomthong Yamsadtham and Punika Areekanchanlert, both young artists, talked about their first experience at BKKIF 2024. The duo confessed that they were not confident in their work, so they decided to share a booth which displayed both their solo and collaborative illustrations.

After the event, they were interviewed by a magazine which led them to work, such as designing books and posters. They exhibited their work at Bangkok Design Week and recently held the duo exhibition “Lost In Calendar” at Somewhere on Pradiphat 17.

“Before BKKIF 2024, not many people paid attention to our posts on social media. BKKIF is a platform that provides us opportunities to be seen by the public. We have gained more followers and more people appreciate our work, so we can understand more about our potential and see how far we can go,” said Punika.

In addition to artists, reviewers play a major role at BKKIF since they provide opportunity to artists. Toby Lu, director of sales and marketing at River City Bangkok, and Jakkrit Yompayorm, founder of Avocado Books, are representatives of BKKIF reviewers.

Lu revealed that River City Bangkok participated in BKKIF since its first year in 2001 and has invested about 10 million baht to support artists. Selected artists have the opportunity to hold solo exhibitions at River City Bangkok.

Jakkrit said that he visited BKKIF before he became a reviewer. He was there to search for artists who had styles comparable with what Avocado Books would be launching.

“After Avocado Books became a BKKIF reviewer, I was committed to select two artists to design our book covers, but I usually like to work with more than two. This year, Avocado Books has worked with more than five artists for book covers and illustrations,” explained Jakkrit.

Another highlight of BKKIF is the lineup of guest artists. To ensure diversity, it must include both solo and group artists, local and international artists, and ages from five to over 40. The six guest artists this year are Noma, Panatthorn “Skill” Fakthong, Pol Huiprasert, Urban Sketchers Thailand, Whosming and The Duang.

Noma is a successful Korean artist. Her paintings often feature young people and animals under an intriguing interplay of light and shadow. She uses either natural settings or urban scenes and infuses them with fantasy inspiration. Her paintings convey the emotions of people in this era, which can sometimes be gloomy, but often harbour a spark of hope and joy of a simple life.

Panatthorn, a five-year-old, is illiterate. His works comes naturally without any instructions. He has drawn over 100 illustrations and told stories through images and words. Panatthorn was discovered by Makut Ornrudee, editor of Butterfly Publishing. This year, Panatthorn held two solo exhibitions at GalileOasis in January and Tang Seng Jua Saen Phuda in June.

Pol is renowned for his production design in the music industry. He creates impressive experiences for concertgoers since he strives to authentically present the artist’s identity and music. He and his team have collaborated with many leading Thai artists including Bodyslam, Nont Tanont, The Toys and 4Eve. Pol will offer a unique and unconventional experiences to the audience at BKKIF 2025.

Urban Sketchers Thailand is a group of art enthusiasts who disregard age or skill. The group draws the landscape and architecture of various locations throughout Bangkok and other provinces. As a group of people with different skills, they create an atmosphere of knowledge sharing and experience exchange. Drawing sessions in old towns also foster knowledge about architectural conservation.

Whosming is a Taipei-based artist whose work often revolves around the theme of travel and coffee. A passionate coffee lover, Whosming began drawing baristas on paper coffee cups during his travels in Portland, USA. This series became an ongoing Instagram hit under the hashtag #mingscups and gained widespread traction. Additionally, Whosming’s album cover design was nominated for Best Recording Package at the Grammy Awards in 2023.

Veerachai Duangpla, better known as The Duang, has grown into a Thai comic artist with over 20 years experience. He is renowned for his cool lines, witty characters and engaging storylines. His notable works include creating gangster-style characters for NFTs, which successfully led to the Gangster All Star series.

BKKIF has changed the lives of many aspiring artists, but Vip and Chonticha are humble and do not take credit for that. They only organise the event, which brings reviewers to artists, but they are proud to witness the success of the creatives.

“It was so cool to see artists who sell their work at a booth in BKKIF. Then, they became like a star and we see their work everywhere,” said Chonticha.

“I am proud of seeing them grow. Some artists now have solo exhibitions while some are involved in big projects. Some of them have grown in ways we never imagined. I am really proud and glad to see that,” said Vip.

Two approaching cultural festivals are expected to draw about 30,000 visitors to the southern province of Songkhla and pump hundreds of millions of baht into the local economy – the Hindu Diwali and then the Chinese Vegetarian Festival.

The two festivals will extend over two weeks, the first starting on Friday.

Wittaya Saelim, a veteran tour guide who founded the Songkhla Tour Guide Association, said the Diwali Festival of Lights, also known as Deepavali and celebrated by Indian communities, will run from Oct 17-19. The long holiday is expected to bring a surge of Indian-Malaysian tourists to Hat Yai city, a popular destination bordering Malaysia, Mr Wittaya said.

The tourism boost is set to continue seamlessly into the Chinese Vegetarian Festival, from Oct 20-29, with merit-making ceremonies, vegetarian diet markets and cultural activities.

These two-week events typically attract both domestic and international tourists to the province, he said.

‘Each year we see a consistent rise in Malaysian tourists during this period, This year, we estimate around 30,000 visitors with each spending an average of 5,000 baht per day,’ Mr Wittaya said.

While international arrivals have still not returned to pre-pandemic levels, tourism-related businesses remained resilient in the region, said Natthanon Pongthanyawiriya, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce for the southern border provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala.

Deep South tourism mostly thrived through cultural, religious, agricultural and culinary experiences, Mr Natthanon said. ‘The government also supported entrepreneurs here with low-interest loans and measures to prevent non-performing loans.’

Tour bus and van operators in Songkhla said cultural and religious tourism had performed strongly with most travellers being adults and study groups.

On peak periods, there were up to 100 tour buses arriving daily in Hat Yai. There were five to 10 buses on regular weekdays, according to Songchai Mungprasitthichai, president of the Songkhla Tourism Association. ‘About 80% of Malaysian tour groups will stop to shop at stores, generating at least 50,000 baht per group,’ he said.

Popular purchases include instant noodles, snacks, canned goods, inhalers, balms and other health products.

Generali Thailand wants to sustain double-digit growth in the second half of the year, driving gross written premiums (GWP) for the Thai unit of the Italian insurer to surpass 15 billion baht for the year.

The company reported robust 17% growth in GWP during the first six months, said Arsh Kaumi, country manager and chief executive of Generali Thailand, demonstrating its ability to evolve with the changing financial and lifestyle needs of Thai consumers.

Generali expects to maintain double-digit growth through the remainder of the year, underlining the company’s ambition to become a market leader in Thailand’s competitive insurance sector, he said.

“The Thai insurance market in the second half of 2025 remains challenging amid a sluggish economy,” said Mr Kaumi.

“Our key strategy to drive business growth is offering products that truly meet customer needs, solutions that deliver real value, supported by the right sales channels.”

GWP is projected to surpass 15 billion baht this year, comprising roughly 14 billion from life insurance and 1 billion from non-life business.

The company ranks ninth in Thailand’s insurance market, with strong performance from health and protection products anchoring its portfolio.

He said several factors are fuelling growth in the Thai insurance sector despite broader economic headwinds: greater awareness of financial planning, rising medical costs due to medical inflation, and a growing trend among younger generations to purchase insurance earlier for long-term security.

Government initiatives to promote health and life insurance products have also encouraged broader public participation.

“Thailand is a strategic market full of potential, especially in health insurance, as the country becomes an aged society,” said Mr Kaumi.

“We are pleased to see the government’s efforts to make health insurance more accessible and affordable. Healthcare should be something everyone can access, and we are developing affordable plans to make that possible.

“Everyone should start with a health insurance plan they can afford. After Covid-19, people have become far more conscious of their health and financial preparedness.”

The company reinforced its multi-channel distribution network through bancassurance partnerships with financial institutions, expanded agency channels with digital tools, and strengthened collaborations with brokers nationwide.

“Among all channels, our agency network continues to deliver the strongest sales growth,” he said, adding the company is investing heavily in digital innovation to enhance both sales efficiency and customer experience.

One such initiative is the GenWings application, designed to improve agent productivity through automated premium calculations and real-time data access.

The GEN 365 platform has transformed digital claims handling and policy management, allowing the company to process around 1 million claims a year, 90% of which require no upfront payment, with most settled within 30 minutes, said Mr Kaumi.

The company is accelerating its investment in digital distribution, particularly in travel and health insurance products targeting younger, tech-savvy consumers.

In the fourth quarter, new products will be launched not only for tax saving purposes, but also long-term financial and retirement planning, he said.

Generali’s product portfolio increasingly focuses on health protection, critical illness coverage, and unit-linked plans that encourage long-term savings discipline, said Mr Kaumi.

In Thailand, Generali employs more than 800 people.

“At Generali Thailand, we’re building a workforce ready for the digital future by integrating artificial intelligence-driven learning, data analytics, and continuous leadership development,” he said.

“We also embrace diversity, equity and inclusion as a core part of our corporate culture, fostering innovation, collaboration, and trust across teams and business partners.”

The Department of Medical Sciences (DMSC) has unveiled new regulations for cell banks, aiming to boost biomedical research standards and support the health economy.

Dr Sarawut Boonsuk, director-general of the DMSC, said on Sunday the regulation, set to take effect in early November, will establish certification standards for cell banks, aligning Thailand with international best practices.

The move is expected to enhance safety, quality, and innovation in cell-based research and therapies.

Cell banks store human cells under controlled conditions for future use in medical treatments, research, and product development.

With rapid advancements in cell preservation and utilisation technologies, Dr Sarawut emphasised the need for a robust regulatory framework to ensure trust and safety.

The certification system covers key areas including personnel qualifications, facility standards, equipment, storage protocols, and quality management systems. A manual has been issued to guide both public and private sector operators.

The standards apply to the storage of human cells for research and the development of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs), which include cutting-edge treatments such as gene and cell therapies.

The regulation was published in the Royal Gazette on Oct 9 and will come into force 30 days later.

Two Israeli men were arrested with fake US dollar bills totalling US$5,653 after they exchanged some of them for Thai baht at Samui airport.

Police said Matan Moshe, 25, and Omer Sarusi, 28, were arrested on Saturday.

According to police, the two visitors separately exchanged $50 notes at a Government Savings Bank (GSB) exchange kiosk at Samui airport last Monday. Mr Moshe exchanged five notes for 7,280 baht, while Mr Sarusi exchanged 10 notes for 14,560 baht. The GSB later confirmed the notes were counterfeit.

Police arrested the pair at their accommodation in tambon Bophut and found 48 $100 notes, 17 $50 notes and three $1 notes in their possession.

The suspects told police they had brought the US dollar bills from Israel and were unaware they were fake.

The men arrived in Thailand at Suvarnabhumi airport on Oct 5 on tourist visas.

Thailand’s cybersecurity systems remain vulnerable to a high number of attacks, according to cybersecurity firms.

Kaspersky said Thailand logged the most incidents in Southeast Asia with 2.52 million web threats in the first half of 2025, followed by Malaysia and Indonesia with 1.70 million and 1.63 million, respectively.

Web threats are crucial threats against businesses and enterprises, such as malware programs that can target internet users, according to Kaspersky. Web threats are not limited to online activity, but ultimately involve the internet at some stage for inflicted harm.

In the first half of 2025, Kaspersky Enterprise Solutions detected and blocked 7.83 million web threats in the region, averaging 43,049 a day.

The company said recent data revealed existing vulnerabilities in business networks, leaving Thai enterprises exposed to possible cyber-attacks.

In the first half of 2025, 1.2 million exploits targeting organisations in Southeast Asia were blocked by Kaspersky, averaging 6,750 a day.

For the period, Indonesia had the highest number of exploits at 524,657, followed by Vietnam (301,880) and Malaysia (190,556). Thailand ranked fourth with 88,966 exploits targeting businesses and enterprises.

Exploits are a type of malicious program designed to take advantage of bugs or vulnerabilities in software or operating systems to gain unauthorised access.

In the second quarter of 2025, the most common exploits globally targeted vulnerable Microsoft Office products that contained unpatched security flaws, according to another Kaspersky report.

The report revealed the top 10 most exploited vulnerabilities included both new zero-day flaws and older, unpatched issues that organisations continue to overlook.

A zero-day vulnerability is a software vulnerability discovered by attackers before the vendor has become aware of it.

“Our latest data highlights a persistent and critical challenge for enterprises in Thailand and across Southeast Asia,” says Adrian Hia, managing director for Asia-Pacific at Kaspersky.

Mr Hia said the attackers are not only leveraging new, sophisticated zero-day flaws, but also successfully exploiting older, unpatched vulnerabilities that have been a known risk for years.

He said businesses must prioritise proactive vulnerability management to shut the door on cybercriminals and protect corporate networks from long-term compromise.

ELEVATED RISK

According to Check Point Threat Intelligence, Thai organisations suffered an average of 3,201 weekly cyber-attacks in the first half of 2025, exceeding the global average of 1,946.

Chanvith Iddhivadhana, country manager for Thailand at Check Point Software Technologies, said there is a sharp rise in sophisticated nation-state campaigns, phishing scams and distributed denial-of-service attacks, driven by regional tensions and an escalation in cyber crime.

He said Thai organisations need to rethink how they manage cyber-risk.

Mr Chanvith said investing in a unified platform that blends extended detection and response solutions and an external risk management approach, as well as an open and collaborative approach to third-party integration, will deliver far more value than piecemeal tools.

Phishing remains the top attack vector in Thailand, according to Check Point Threat Intelligence, which also identified FakeUpdates as the most prevalent malware in Thailand, affecting 13.9% of Thai organisations, well above the global average of 5.4%.

FakeUpdates is a downloader malware that spreads through drive-by downloads on compromised or malicious websites.

Threat actors have aggressively targeted government entities and critical infrastructure sectors, noted Check Point.

The utilities sector, with an average of 3,567 weekly attacks, has emerged as the most targeted vertical, while the government/military sector, averaging 2,662 weekly attacks, ranks among the top three sectors for attacks this year.

Messe Stuttgart in collaboration with Koelnmesse Thailand is holding “LogiMAT and LogiFOOD Southeast Asia 2025” at Bitec Hall 100, Bang Na-Trat Road, from Wednesday to Friday.

Billed as the region’s leading regional logistics and cold chain exhibition, the event will bring together more than 300 leading companies from around the world to present innovations across multiple sectors.

They include smart warehouses, warehouse management systems, food and pharmaceutical logistics, chemical supply chains, cold chain technology, temperature-controlled transportation and sustainable packaging solutions.

Held under the theme “Passion For Solution”, the three-day trade show will feature a wide range of highlights. The “Live Smart Logistics Demonstration” by the Thai Intralogistics Association will showcase live AI and automation demo covering all logistics processes.

The “Smart Halal Logistics Showcase” led by the National Food Institute (NFI) will address strategies in Halal logistics and cold chain management, while the “Smart Logistics Clinic” will offer free training, expert consultations and factory diagnostics from DIPROM, TIA, TRA, TARA and more.

Besides the business matching programme that provides an opportunity to connect with potential partners onsite and online, there will be “LogiSYM-LogiMAT Symposium 2025” delivering more than 20 expert-led seminars with live English-Thai interpretation.