Category: The Bangkok Post

The World Exposition in Osaka has attracted more than 25 million visitors, according to an estimate released by organisers on Sunday, ahead of its closing the following day after a six-month run.

At the closing ceremony for the event on Monday, in which 158 countries and regions participated, the flag of the Bureau International des Expositions, the Paris-based body that oversees world expos, will be handed to Saudi Arabia, the 2030 host.

While daily visitors to the Osaka expo fell below 100,000 in the early months after its opening in April, the number surged in recent weeks to over 200,000 per day, fuelled by growing attention on social media and word of mouth.

A total of 22.07 million tickets were sold and licensed merchandise, including plush toys of the official mascot Myaku-Myaku, generated about 80 billion yen (17 billion baht) in sales as of late August. The organisers are expecting an operating surplus of up to 28 billion yen.

The total number of visitors also surpassed the 22.05 million recorded at the expo in Aichi Prefecture in 2005.

Deputy Prime Minister Capt Thamanat Prompow pledged to resolve transboundary pollution along the Kok River in Chiang Rai through diplomatic talks and a local committee to safeguard public health.

Capt Thamanat, also Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, emphasised the urgency of addressing chemical contamination flowing from upstream tributaries across the Myanmar border into the Kok River during his visit over the weekend.

He said the issue would be raised at the next cabinet meeting, while urging the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and national security agencies to initiate formal diplomatic engagement with Myanmar.

To mitigate the impact on local communities, Capt Thamanat instructed the Royal Irrigation Department to expedite plans for a sediment-trapping weir near Mae Ai district.

‘This will help filter pollutants before they reach Chiang Rai’s water supply,’ he said. He also directed relevant departments to test water, soil, and aquatic life to ensure safety for consumption and to identify alternative water sources for residents.

A provincial-level committee will be established to oversee the issue, comprising local leaders and agencies. The minister also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting public health and environmental integrity, stating, ‘This is a real concern for our people, and we will not turn a blind eye [to it].’

In addition to environmental concerns, he distributed agricultural resources to flood-affected farmers, including land title deeds, fish breeds and organic fertiliser. He also reviewed local proposals for water resource development, such as restoring Nong Luang and a solar-powered water-pumping system from the Kok River.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Suchart Chomklin, also the Natural Resources and Environment Minister, on Monday expressed concern over the long-standing turbidity of the Kra Buri River in Ranong, caused by mining activities in Myanmar’s Karen State.

The Pollution Control Department confirmed elevated sediment levels but no toxic heavy metals in recent tests. Diplomatic coordination with Myanmar is underway to address the issue through the Regional Border Committee, said the minister.

The government plans new borrowing totalling 1.2 trillion baht for fiscal 2026, a slight decrease from 1.22 trillion in fiscal 2025.

According to a Finance Ministry source who requested anonymity, the government and state-owned enterprises’ new borrowing plan of 1.2 trillion baht is divided into six parts.

First, borrowing to compensate for the budget deficit, amounting to 860 billion baht, in accordance with the Public Debt Management Act. Under this act, borrowing may not exceed 20% of total budget expenditures for that fiscal year, plus up to 80% of expenditures earmarked for debt principal repayment.

Second, carrying over government borrowing from fiscal 2025 that has not been executed. The government requested an extension of the borrowing period, allowing 80 billion baht to be carried over and borrowed in fiscal 2026.

Third, borrowing under Section 22 of the Public Debt Management Act for economic and social development purposes. This borrowing is excluded from the regular annual budget and is for the Public Health Ministry and the Department of Rural Roads, totalling 11.4 billion baht.

Fourth, government borrowing for relending to state agencies totalling 51.6 billion baht, with 36.3 billion for the State Railway of Thailand and 15.2 billion for the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand.

Fifth, borrowing of 113 billion baht to manage the treasury balance’s liquidity.

Sixth, new domestic borrowing by 16 state-owned enterprises in fiscal 2026, totalling 89.9 billion baht.

To manage existing government debt, through refinancing or rollover, the government plans to manage 1.88 trillion baht in fiscal 2026 to reduce costs and maintain fiscal stability.

Regarding the government debt repayment plan in 2026, the government and state-owned enterprises plan to repay a total of 503 billion baht (including principal and interest).

As of August, the government’s total public debt is 12.16 trillion baht, equivalent to 64.6% of GDP, while the government’s debt ceiling is set at 70% of GDP. The public debt burden surged following the pandemic in 2020-2021, attributed to special borrowing laws to mitigate the economic impact.

Total borrowing reached as high as 1.5 trillion baht, causing the public debt level to rise rapidly and exceed the public debt ceiling at the time, which was capped at 60%. As a result, the Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha administration raised the ceiling to 70%.

The sharp increase in public debt prompted Moody’s and Fitch to express concern over Thailand’s debt-servicing capacity, as they saw limited potential for economic growth and ongoing political instability. Both agencies revised the government’s credit rating outlook from stable to negative.

The government must step up efforts to encourage people to visit second-tier destinations to enhance domestic tourism and broaden revenue distribution, says the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).

If more tourists travel to these destinations, local communities and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will benefit from their spending, which would eventually contribute to economic growth.

Second-tier cities or provinces refers to areas that attract around 4 million visitors a year or less, according to the Tourism and Sports Ministry.

“Businesses have continued to earn low revenue since the pandemic, as Thailand’s economic growth has lagged behind neighbouring countries such as Vietnam,” said Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the FTI.

“This means we need stronger measures to stimulate the economy.”

He said the “Khon La Khrueng Plus” co-payment scheme alone is insufficient to revitalise the economy, with the government partially paying for products and services purchased by 13 million state welfare cardholders as well as 20 million other Thais.

According to the National Credit Bureau, Thailand’s non-performing loans (NPLs), especially in the household sector, have increased by 25% since the end of 2022, reaching a record high of 1.24 trillion baht as of January 2025.

“SMEs have high debt, accounting for 7.6% of NPLs in the final quarter this year,” said Mr Kriengkrai.

“Their debt will keep increasing if the government does not do more to solve their financial problems.”

He said he expects the Thai economy to recover in the final quarter of this year, partly driven by the co-payment scheme.

Mr Kriengkrai predicted the economy will continue to improve next year as manufacturers shipping products to the US gradually adapt to Washington’s tariff policy.

The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking projected GDP growth of 1.8-2.2% this year, with export growth of 2-3%, and inflation of 0.5-1%.

At vivo’s recent event in China the company raised the bar on mobile photography and performance once again, this time with its X300 and X300 Pro smartphones. Building on last year’s success of the X200 series in the Thai market, the new models are expectd to deliver a compelling blend of cutting-edge camera technology, flagship-grade performance and luminous display innovation. With a clear focus on portrait and low-light photography, the X300 series positions itself as a serious contender in the premium Android segment.

It is well known in Thailand that vivo is one of the top 2 smartphone brands that consistently produce the best looking and eye pleasing portraits, without any extra software interventions.

The new highlight is the integration of ZEISS optics, including a 200MP main camera and a periscope telephoto lens, alongside a refined aesthetic that introduces new materials and manufacturing techniques.

Both models feature a redesigned camera module using 3D Cold-Carved Glass, a single-piece glass moulding process that reduces the size of the camera bump, enhances durability, and prevents dust accumulation. The X300 Pro further distinguishes itself with a sleeker lens frame etched to resemble professional camera lenses. On the rear, vivo introduces Coral Velvet glass, offering a soft matte texture that resists fingerprints.

The X300 Pro, starting at 5,299 Chinese Yuan, is available in four colours: Brown, blue, white, and black. The standard X300, starting at 4,399 Chinese Yuan, comes in pink, purple, blue, and black.

Camera upgrades are central to the X300 Pro. It sports a 50MP ZEISS main camera with Sony’s new LYT-828 sensor (1/1.28′), enhanced optical stabilisation, and Super Blue Glass for improved light transmission and reduced ghosting. The periscope telephoto lens boasts a 200MP ZEISS APO sensor (1/1.4′), co-developed with Samsung and MediaTek, offering 3.7x optical zoom and up to 100x digital zoom. The ultra-wide and front cameras remain at 50MP, with autofocus and wide-angle capabilities.

The X300, while more affordable, surprises with a 200MP ZEISS main camera using a special ISOCELL HPB sensor, a result of collaboration between vivo, Samsung and MediaTek. It also includes a 50MP ZEISS APO periscope lens with 3x optical zoom, the first time this premium standard appears in a non-Pro model. Both phones support adaptive rear flash, 4K 60FPS video recording, and dual-view shooting.

Under the hood, both models run on the upgraded Dimensity 9500 chipset paired with vivo’s V3+ imaging chip. The Pro adds a dedicated VS1 processor for image and video enhancement. Battery capacity sees a boost with the Pro packing a 6510mAh BlueVolt cell and the X300 a 6040mAh unit, both supporting 90W wired and 40W wireless charging.

vivo also introduces a new zoom lens accessory compatible with both models, offering 2.35x magnification for sharper telephoto shots. Users can attach the lens and activate it via the camera’s settings menu.

A 72-year-old American man fell to his death from a condominium building in Pattaya early on Sunday morning, with police discovering a note suggesting financial difficulties.

Officers were alerted to the incident at a condominium in tambon Nong Prue at around 2.10am.

The man’s body was found face down in a pool of blood in the car park. Police said several bones were broken.

According to police, the man had been living alone in a fifth-floor flat. There were no signs of a struggle, but a handwritten note was found, saying goodbye and mentioning money problems.

CCTV footage showed the man taking a lift to the 11th floor, where he climbed onto a chair, went out of a window, and jumped.

Police said they would notify the US Embassy.

A seaplane service will begin a trial run from Koh Kradan in Trang province in December, with the first commercial route likely to be between Phuket and Trang.

ACM Manat Chuaprayoon, governor of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, said the service would initially operate on Koh Kradan for 180 days from December.

It would then be assessed, both for commercial viability and for environmental and other impacts.

He said two companies, Siam Seaplane and Thai Seaplane, had licences for such services, and their planes could also use any conventional airport.

‘Seaplanes will be another choice for tourists,’ ACM Manat said.

Surachai Nuprom, acting president of Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (Aerothai), said Siam Seaplane and Thai Seaplane were ready to launch this ground-breaking service in Thailand, with aircrews and business plans. The first route was likely to be Phuket-Trang.

The operators were also interested in routes to islands off Phuket, Phangnga, Koh Samui and Trang, he said.

Officials would study the possible impact from the noise of seaplane propellers and engines. If they proved to be environmentally friendly, a permanent seaplane service could start in mid-2026, he said.

Aerothai was prepared to manage seaplane air traffic. Other commercial flights and services would not be affected, Mr Surachai said.

Aerothai is state-owned and runs air traffic control and aviation communication services in Thailand.

K-pop groups formed through reality singing contests often rise to fame quickly because they already have a large fan base. ZeroBaseOne is one such group that has followed this successful format.

ZeroBaseOne, the highly talented boy group formed through the support of fans from 184 countries on Mnet’s Boys Planet, consists of nine members — Sung Han-bin, Kim Ji-woong, Zhang Hao, Seok Matthew, Kim Tae-rae, Ricky, Kim Gyu-vin, Park Gun-wook and Han Yu-jin.

Organised by SM True, this global boy group is scheduled to visit Bangkok for “2025 ZeroBaseOne World Tour [Here and Now]” on Oct 18 at Impact Challenger. Since their debut, ZeroBaseOne has achieved success in the K-pop history with five consecutive million-plus-selling albums, underscoring their rapid rise on the global stage.

ZeroBaseOne has continuously broken records in the Korean music industry. Their debut mini-album Youth In The Shade, which was released in July 2023, sold over 2 million copies and earned them the title “double million seller”.

Their next release Melting Point in November 2023 recorded first-week sales of over 2.1 million copies, making them the first K-pop group to achieve over a million sales for two consecutive albums since debut. They also swept all major Rookie of the Year awards in Korea and have since continued to set records with five consecutive million-plus-selling albums.

On Sept 1, the group released their first full album titled Never Say Never. This album showcases their potential and reaffirms their status as global top tier.

Get ready to experience an incredible spectrum of music and discover the unique charms of all nine members at their world tour concert.

Tickets cost 2,500, 2,900, 3,400, 3,800, 4,800, 5,800, 5,900 and 6,900 baht (VIP package) baht. However, VIP packages are already sold out. Tickets can be purchased at all Counter Service outlets in 7-Eleven stores nationwide and via allticket.com.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has reaffirmed Thailand’s adherence to legal and ethical standards in managing cross-border issues with Cambodia, following criticism over the use of psychological tactics near the frontier.

In response to questions about whether the airing of documentaries and eerie sound effects constituted a gradual escalation of measures to push back Cambodian nationals, Mr Anutin, also the interior minister, said that he had already delegated full authority to the military to make operational decisions. This included matters of diplomatic engagement, which fall under the remit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Reporters also inquired whether the use of ghostly sound effects near the border might constitute a violation of human rights, given that some members of the Senate had raised concerns.

The prime minister said that he had yet to listen to the audio himself, explaining that he had spent the entire weekend in the field.

Nonetheless, he emphasised that all actions must remain within the bounds of the law – both Thai and international – and must comply with universally accepted norms and principles.

When asked whether such tactics might damage Thailand’s standing on the international stage, Mr Anutin replied: ‘We are safeguarding our sovereignty.’

On Sunday evening, the ghost-themed broadcast with an open-air film screening near the border was changed to a documentary titled Camp 511, which recounts historical events involving Cambodian refugees who once fled violence in their homeland. Thailand had extended humanitarian support by offering them refuge.

The documentary, presented in the Khmer language, was previously published on the Royal Thai Army’s Facebook page.

It describes the history of ‘Camp 511’, known officially as the Nong Chan Refugee Camp, which sheltered Cambodians escaping the Cambodian Civil War approximately 40 years ago.

A key segment of the film states: ‘Nong Chan did more than welcome strangers. It gave them a chance to grow rice, farm, and begin life anew. But some refused to return home, establishing new roots on Thai soil. And today, they seek to encroach and harm Thai soldiers.’

On Monday, a report from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit revealed that the team had discovered two additional anti-personnel landmines during operations in the Ban Nong Ya Kaeo area in Sa Kaeo’s Khok Sung district.

The first device was identified as a fixed-position anti-personnel mine of the MN79 type, fully operational. Nearby, a second device was found – an operational fixed-position anti-personnel mine of the PMN type.

Both mines were safely neutralised and removed by the EOD team in accordance with standard procedures.

Since the beginning of the clearance mission, from Friday until Monday, a total of seven anti-personnel landmines have been discovered in the area.

Tomorrow happens to be Plain English Day which has in recent years morphed into International Plain Language Day designed to promote the proper use of language. In other words the aim is to cut out all the gibberish, mumbo jumbo, codswallop, balderdash, tripe, tommyrot, twaddle, tosh and bosh you may have become accustomed to. heaven forbid, some of it even in PostScript.

In the past the Plain English campaign has handed out annual Foot in Mouth Awards given to the biggest culprits, usually politicians who have a certain knack of wrecking the English language. Interestingly no awards have been given in the past couple of years possibly because there have been too many candidates to choose from.

It probably won’t come as a great surprise that a three-time “winner” is former British prime minister Boris Johnson. In 2004 he came up with the following baffling response on a TV panel show: “I cannot fail to disagree with you less.”

Mr Boris won it again in 2016 when he claimed Brexit would be a “titanic success” — a rather unfortunate choice of words when you consider what happened to the ship.

However it is unlikely anyone will beat the offering of former US secretary of defence Donald Rumsfeld who in 2003 uttered the following splendid observation:

“As we know, there are known knowns, there are things we know we know. There are also known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns, the ones we don’t know we don’t know.”

It’s hard to follow that but we must not overlook George W Bush who received a well-earned Life Time Achievement Award for “services to gobbledygook”.

Ducking the question

On the lighter side, supermodel Naomi Campbell was awarded the 2006 prize after commenting, “I love England, especially the food. There’s nothing I like more than a lovely bowl of pasta”.

One of the more bizarre comments which won in 1998 came from Welsh MP Rhodi Morgan. When asked if he wanted to be leader of the Welsh Assembly he replied: “Does a one-legged duck swim in circles?”

So is that a yes or a no? It is certainly a very useful riposte which we all might find useful when someone asks an awkward question.

Full of holes

The huge sinkhole that suddenly appeared on Samsen Road in Bangkok recently serves as a gentle reminder of the days when holes, thankfully of a smaller variety, made regular appearances on roads in the Big Mango.

The golden era was in the 1970s and 80s when holes and excavations in Bangkok highways popped up everywhere. No vehicle was immune and tuk-tuk drivers experienced a particularly distressing time. On one occasion an oil tanker fell into a giant crater on Wireless Road and it took days to move it, creating a gridlock of apocalyptic proportions.

Foot soldiers

More pertinent to the pedestrian population of course are holes in the pavement. We have all probably plunged into a hole in Bangkok at some time or another and it is not a happy experience.

Back in the days when the Post was based at Soi Saladaeng, for a period the soi was a disaster area thanks to road works. Someone who experienced this in a most painful fashion was the newspaper’s cartoonist Nop. He had nipped out for a bite to eat one night when he tumbled down an open drain. It was a clear case of noppus droppus.

Other members of the editorial department were hobbling about after suffering similar experiences and for a while our office resembled the Ministry of Funny Walks.

Musical excavations

Of course holes are not confined to Bangkok. In London the excavations used to provide lunchtime entertainment for bored city gentlemen who would admire holes being dug while they munched their cheese and tomato sandwiches. The late British actor Bernard Cribbins enjoyed a hit in 1962 with a song entitled Hole in the Ground in which a man digging a large hole ends up burying a snooty bowler-hatted city gent who criticises his efforts.

“Holes” also receive an honourable mention in the Beatles’ epic A Day in the Life with the last verse featuring “four thousand holes in Blackburn, Lancashire” and concluding “Now they know how many holes it takes to fill the Albert Hall”.

John Lennon had been inspired by a news item in the Daily Mail in 1967 which reported 4,000 potholes in Blackburn’s roads. As for mentioning the Albert Hall, Lennon admitted he simply included words that sounded good together.

Soap bubbles

The memory cells of our more mature readers have been working overtime recently as they recall ancient TV commercials. Some remember the soap ad “You’ll look a little lovelier each day with fabulous pink Camay”. If you weren’t convinced by that message an ad for the same soap claimed it was “worth nine guineas an ounce” which meant it must be good.

One reader says he remembers the strong rivalry of the washing powder companies prompting slogans for their commercials like: “Hold it up to the light, not a stain in sight”, “Tide’s in, dirt’s out” and a brand that “washes whiter than white”.

I must admit that when those ads came on I would nip out to the kitchen for a cup of tea.