Category: The Bangkok Post

The new Thai Amazon Original film Host, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Pairach “Pokpong” Khumwan (Girl From Nowhere, Siam Square), will premiere on Oct 23 on Prime Video.

The film offers the first cinematic reimagining of Thailand’s legendary Mae Sue, the guardian spirit of children, transforming the folklore into a supernatural horror. The film stars Thitiya “Baipor” Jirapornsilp, Veerinsara “Perth” Tungkitsuvanich and Pisitpol “Jump” Ekaphongpisit in lead roles.

Host follows Ing (played by Baipor), an introvert sent to an all-girls reform school on a remote island. The school operates under a strict hierarchy, with the principal’s favoured student, Aim, and Ing quickly becomes the target of Aim. Shortly after her arrival, a series of disturbing incidents begin to unfold. Amid her suffering, only Pin offers her solace; her sole friend and the light at the end of her dark tunnel. As unsettling events accumulate, Ing must confront a terrifying question: is she merely a victim of these supernatural occurrences or could she herself be their source?

Host marks actress Baipor’s first venture into horror, showcasing a transformation from her familiar roles as a cheerful high school girl to a character of profound depth layered with pain and endurance. In this performance, her trademark smiles audiences once knew are replaced by raw emotion and haunting intensity.

‘Host was an incredibly challenging project for me. It felt like stepping into a whole new world. My character, Ingkhwan, goes through immense growth and transformation as the story unfolds. That meant I had to study and prepare for this role intensively. Ingkhwan embodies the complexities of human beings and carries many layers of emotion. On the outside she seems composed, but inside she is filled with mixed feelings. Portraying that quiet exterior while letting the audience feel the storm within was one of the toughest challenges I’ve ever faced.

‘Studying and preparing for this role allowed me to better understand Ingkhwan’s journey. She taught me so much about how countless factors from past traumas to memories you wish you could forget but can’t, shapes a person’s reactions and choices, Everything makes sense with her character.

‘Another thing I really appreciated about this film is that it gave me the chance to try so many things I had never done before. They were challenging but incredibly fun like working with animals, children, special effects, even stunt wires. Another first for me was learning to speak in the Northern dialect,’ says Baipor.

Aim, played by Perth, the head student and right hand to Mother Pritsana, rules with leadership. She enforces the school’s laws with an iron grip, ensuring no one dares to violate the order. With fear of being punished by Mother Pritsana, Aim will do whatever it takes to protect herself. The only lesson she has learned and mastered by imitating the teacher is how to wield her power: to harm, punish and instil fear to keep everyone under her control.

This is Perth’s first horror film as it was filmed before Attack13. Landing a lead role in a horror film was a long-time dream for her. Despite her fear of ghosts, Perth saw this role as the perfect challenge to test how well she could face her fears and deliver a compelling performance.

‘When I was first contacted to audition, I was so excited, I’m a horror film fan. I get scared easily, but I’ve always enjoyed watching and listening to ghost stories. I’d never had the chance to try it myself. Whenever people asked me what I wanted to do in this industry in the future, I always answered that I wanted to act in a film, especially in a horror film. I’m afraid of ghosts, so I wanted to challenge myself and see how far I could push my limits.

‘This film gave me the chance to do so many things I’d never done before. I put everything into Aim, trying to bring her to life exactly as I imagined. Aim was a very difficult character for me because she’s so different from who I really am – the way she speaks, expresses herself and thinks,’ says Perth.

Jump portrays Pin, a young orphan who spent his life at sea. Pin is innocent, kind-hearted and harmless. He values justice and freedom and can survive on his own, making him a steady refuge for those around him. Older and more grounded than his peers, Pin embodies the straightforward, resilient spirit of fishermen. He may be Ing’s only chance to escape the island before Aim turns the reformatory into her hell.

Host also marks a return to horror for Jump, but this time with a new challenge: portraying Pin, a character who influences the other characters in the story and differs from Jump in many ways. Pin pushed the actor into a deep dive of preparation and research into the life of a fisherman.

‘While reading the script, I immediately knew this was a role that required special preparation. Pin’s background and skills are very far from my own. He’s a fisherman who’s highly skilled at repairing boats and fixing tools, and I wanted to portray him as authentically as possible. So, I went to study real fishermen’s lives. I talked with them, asked questions and observed how they worked and carried themselves. I wanted to capture their spirit so that audiences see Pin as a true fisherman.

‘I dedicated myself to the role of Pin because his presence shapes the entire story. Pin steps into an environment and a situation that is far from ordinary. He’s the only man in an all-girls’ school. I wanted audiences to keep questioning: why is he here, and where does he truly fit in the equation of the story?,’ she says.

Mother Pritsana (portrayed by Narinthorn ‘Ae’ Na Bangchang) is in charge of keeping the students in line. She appears outwardly caring, treating every girl as if they were her own, yet beneath this facade lies a manipulative woman: she believes that every child must live within the boundaries she deems correct and she will do anything to mold the students into reflections of her own rigid ideology.

Maprang (portrayed by Weeraya ‘Wee’ Zhang) is Aim’s close friend and loyal right-hand, carrying out her orders without question. She wields her power by oppressing and tormenting others and seems to relish every moment of it. She caters to both Aim and Mother Pritsana, believing that Aim is the teacher’s pet and destined to leave the reformatory first. When that day comes, Maprang intends to seize power for herself.

‘Are you talking to your Mae Sue?’, a common and playful tease many Thais may remember hearing when someone seemed to be talking to themselves. But as times have changed, the very idea of Mae Sue has faded, to the point where some may have forgotten, or perhaps never even known, what Mae Sue truly is.

According to the Office of the Royal Society of Thailand, Mae Sue is defined as ‘a guardian spirit who protects children from birth until the age of 12. Traditionally, it was believed that every child was born under the care of a specific Mae Sue of the day, based on their birthday. This belief was shared across all regions of Thailand, though in the North and Central areas, the names and forms of the guardians of each day varied.”

Rooted deeply in Thai folklore, Mae Sue has long been part of cultural belief. Based on this tradition, Pokpong, the director of Host, was inspired to dig deeper by researching the folklore and then reimagining it through a chilling question: ‘What if the guardian spirit that protects children were to turn into the very ghost that harms them?’ This idea became the seed that grew into the film Host.

‘Every region in Thailand, North, South, Central and Northeastern, has its own version of the Mae Sue legend. What’s fascinating is how their forms differ. In some regions, Mae Sue takes the form of animals, like a cow or a horse. We researched extensively to decide how to bring Mae Sue to life on screen because most people may have heard the name, but they’ve never truly pictured what Mae Sue should look like. That gave us room to shape and create an original legend for this film,’ he says.

Based on the obtained data on Mae Sue, Pokpong partnered with Chanchana ‘Pap’ Homsap, the screenwriter to develop the script further. Pap delved into information on Mae Sue provided by the Fine Arts Department and at Wat Pho to shape Mae Sue into a ghost with greater clarity and cinematic presence.

Host streams on Oct 23 on Prime Video.

Thailand now ranks among the world’s top five countries with the highest number of centenarians, boasting more than 45,000 people aged 100 and above. With over 20% of the population now aged 60 or older, the country’s ageing demographics reflect significant progress in healthcare, nutrition and overall well-being.

But as life expectancy rises, experts warn that happiness and quality of life must keep pace.

Speaking at the Bangkok Post Forum ‘Living Well, Living Long: Inspiring the Future of Ageing’, Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, vice-chair of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, shared insights from her personal journey toward better health and mindfulness.

Ms Kobkarn, a former president of Toshiba Thailand, recalled how sudden illnesses among her once-healthy family members prompted her to re-evaluate her own lifestyle.

‘The doctor told me that the three essential elements for health are good exercise, a good diet, and clean air,’ she said.

Taking that advice to heart, she began jogging regularly at Lumphini Park, gradually working up to six laps per session. Physically, her concentration improved; mentally, she found that slowing down and appreciating life’s small joys brought deeper fulfilment.

‘You don’t need to wait until you’re 50 to start exercising. Find a sport that fits your ability and interests – there’s no right or wrong,’ she said.

She emphasised that consistency in building a healthy routine must go hand in hand with a balanced diet. Sharing nutritious meals with loved ones, she added, transforms ordinary moments into meaningful connections.

Now focused on giving back, Ms Kobkarn believes Thailand has the potential to become a global Blue Zone – regions known for longevity and well-being. Many local communities already embody this lifestyle through traditional diets, local plants and sustainable living.

She also promotes the philosophy of a sufficiency economy and supports young people working to preserve local wisdom and create global impact.

‘Sometimes, we forget our purpose,’ she said. ‘Reconnect with your passion and your goals.’

Also speaking at the forum, Wasu Sangsingkaew – a well-known celebrity and former diplomat – shared how discipline and self-awareness developed through sport helped shape his approach to ageing.

‘Being aware of your body’s signals is crucial,’ he said. ‘Even if you’ve been healthy, you must accept the changes that come with age. We are our own best doctors.’

Though tennis once fuelled his competitive drive, recurring injuries led him to shift toward gentler activities such as swimming and fun runs.

On diet, he follows a simple principle: ‘You are what you eat.’ Mr Wasu also adopted mindful eating habits from his time as a Buddhist monk, including stopping before feeling full. He now prefers white meat and plant-based drinks.

‘Dying quickly and peacefully is life’s greatest achievement,’ he reflected. ‘We’re all going to die, but we should strive to live each moment with joy – and that’s the direction modern medicine is heading.’

Looking back, Mr Wasu said true happiness comes from giving – not just material things, but time, kindness and presence.

Quoting former prime minister, the late MR Kukrit Pramoj, he said: ‘True happiness is a small bed and having everything you need within reach.’

‘To reach that state,’ he added, ‘we must first be healthy. Only then can we truly live with peace and joy.’

After three months of catastrophic relations, Thailand and Cambodia are starting to turn confrontation into cooperation, but such efforts will be obstructed by on-the-ground realities and invisible barriers.

This week is highly significant, as the two countries’ technical teams are convening the anticipated second Special General Border Committee (GBC) meeting in Kuala Lumpur. If everything goes as planned, both sides will agree on the drafted two-page document with which they must comply in totality.

Once US President Donald Trump arrives in Malaysia’s capital on Sunday, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Prime Minister Hun Manet will be ready to sign on the document, which could be called the Kuala Lumpur Accord. The Asean chair, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and Mr Trump will witness the signing ceremony on the sidelines of the Asean-US Summit.

The accord will be a strictly bilateral document, but the timing is strategic. Mr Trump’s presence also coincides with the goal of the current Asean chair to promote regional peace and real dialogue.

For the two neighbours, it will jumpstart the efforts to reset ties after years of mistrust and competing narratives. Cambodia has been trying hard to portray Thailand as the aggressor — an image Thailand firmly rejects. Bangkok insists that its actions have always been defensive and guided by international law.

On the other hand, Phnom Penh has been quite successful in playing the underdog by using emotional appeals and historical grievances to arouse sympathy at the regional and international levels.

These heart-wrenching storylines, amplified by the echo-chamber of social media, have added fuel to the fire, feeding misinformation and worsening the mutual hatred as never before.

Under the Anutin government, Thailand wants to steer away from this disastrous path. Bangkok is projecting itself as the mature and responsible player (suphab-burut or gentleman) in the region. This declaration shows that Thailand can settle disputes through peaceful means rather than confrontation.

Across the border, Cambodia’s challenge is to go beyond the current brinkmanship and respond as a serious and respected partner.

The world is watching — especially Mr Trump’s team — whether Bangkok and Phnom Penh can move beyond the past and translate words into action. Washington has dispatched Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and the Pacific, Kevin Kim, to follow up on the negotiations and prepare for Mr Trump’s visit.

It is hoped that the declaration on Sunday will restore diplomatic and economic cooperation sooner rather than later. Admittedly, both sides have suffered great damage to their economies and people-to-people links, especially those who live along the common border.

At the four-party meeting last week, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow was succinct in stating that Thailand is committed to “building trust and confidence” with Cambodia. He also noted that every step must be clearly defined. “Otherwise,” he said, “the agreement will be only symbolic.”

This straightforward message reflects Thailand’s determination not to repeat past mistakes when political excitement overshadowed concrete progress.

The fate of the 18 Cambodian detainees in Thai custody illustrates this approach. Phnom Penh has pushed for their release as a goodwill gesture. However, Bangkok reiterates that the decision would be part of a structured process tied to verified progress under the accord.

Mr Sihasak confirmed that the detainees’ release is mentioned in the draft, but the technical teams will be working on details. “If the process moves forward, the release will be one of the confidence-building measures between the two countries,” he said.

Throughout the four-party dialogue and consultations, Thailand has emphasised that implementation procedures must be spot-on, practical, and reciprocal.

Without these clear steps, Mr Sihasak pointed out that the agreement would not have credibility. Before this weekend, both Thai and Cambodian defence chiefs are scheduled to meet before their respective governments give the rubber stamp to the accord.

It is notable that the Asean chair has also played a quiet but useful role. As host of the summit, Malaysia has facilitated communication and encouraged both sides to resolve their differences peacefully.

The fact that the accord will be signed alongside the Asean-related summit underscores the regional dimension of this bilateral breakthrough.

For the time being, the defence attachés from Asean members are participating in the interim observation team along the Thailand-Cambodia border.

The new deal, if agreed, will provide a timeframe for the so-called Asean Observer Team, headed by Malaysia, to oversee its implementation. It includes the removal of heavy weapons, the clearing of landmines, the joint task force against online scams, and the relocation of illegal villagers.

Obviously, with Mr Trump’s participation, the upcoming Asean-related summit has received wider media coverage. Bangkok wants the world to see it as a constructive player that can settle disputes through diplomacy and negotiation. By signing the declaration, Thailand will reinforce its image as a peacemaker — so will Cambodia’s prime minister.

Still, the road ahead will not be easy. Currently, Cambodia is under heavy international pressure to tackle the widely reported scam centres inside the country. Transnational crimes will certainly dominate the agenda among the leaders from Asean and dialogue partners.

It is imperative that Thailand and Cambodia break the current cycle of anger and blame, especially nationalistic outrage in all manifestations. For better or worse, they have to coexist. Furthermore, at this juncture, they can also do Asean a big favour by showing the international community that its quiet diplomacy and good office can still bring peace and stability to the region.

City Dynamic, a joint venture between City Realty and Swire Properties, and Swire Hotels will bring the internationally-acclaimed Upper House brand to Thailand.

The collaboration introduces Upper House Residences Bangkok, the world’s first Upper House branded residences, and The Wireless Residences by Upper House, extending the brand’s renowned hospitality to residential living. The two ultra-luxury freehold residential towers, situated on Bangkok’s Wireless Road, offer panoramic views of Lumphini Park and Benjakitti Park, while being steps away from the city’s premier shopping destinations, five-star hotels, international schools and embassies.

The project presents world-class design and hospitality with a commitment to sustainability, setting a new benchmark for premium living in Southeast Asia. With construction having begun in April and completion expected by 2030, these high-quality residences represent a significant milestone for Bangkok’s luxury property market.

On Wireless Road, Upper House Residences Bangkok and The Wireless Residences by Upper House integrate wellness and sustainability with timeless design. The architecture, shaped by Foster + Partners through F and P (Thailand) Ltd, focuses on proportion, light and orientation, while PLandscape creates gardens and sky terraces.

The two projects are distinguished by their interior design approach. Upper House Residences Bangkok, a 52-storey tower comprising 156 units, offers an immersive brand experience. From its interior design to the full-suite of amenities and wellness programmes for residents, it represents a complete expression of the Upper House brand. Interiors by Bar Studio blend warmth, texture, and everyday comfort with hospitality-inspired design, while wellness facilities, created in collaboration with global wellness specialist Goco, deliver a holistic living experience.

The Wireless Residences by Upper House, a 71-storey tower with 239 units, is designed by PIA Interior, incorporating local context and functional elements. The Wireless Residences also feature front-of-house services managed by Upper House, ensuring residents experience the brand’s signature hospitality.

Upper House is a collection of properties managed by Swire Hotels, renowned for their distinctive designs and exceptional service. The brand’s flagship property, Upper House Hong Kong, was ranked among the top five hotels in The World’s 50 Best Hotels for 2023 and 2024, and was awarded a coveted Two Keys in the Michelin Keys 2025.

With six hotels operating across Hong Kong, China and the United States, and five additional hotels under development in China and Japan, Swire Hotels continues to expand its presence in the region.

The royal decree that would grant the stock market regulator the authority to submit case files directly to the public prosecutor, bypassing the police as an intermediary, may be indefinitely delayed, as it requires the approval of parliament, says the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET).

The Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) earlier proposed to the Ministry of Finance the issuance of this decree in order to strengthen its law enforcement powers.

The change is aimed at streamlining legal enforcement, making the process more accurate and responsive to developments in the market.

The move would authorise the SEC to submit case files on violations of securities and exchange laws directly to prosecutors without the involvement of the police, which currently serves as an intermediary prior to prosecution in the investigative process.

According to the SET, the decree was reviewed and endorsed by the Ministry of Finance under Pichai Chunhavajira, the former minister of finance, and approved by the cabinet of the Paetongtarn Shinawatra-led administration. It is now under consideration by the Council of State, which provides legal review before submission to parliament for final approval.

If the administration is confident in its parliamentary majority, it would typically submit the bill for approval to expedite its enforcement, a government source said.

“But currently, the government holds a minority in parliament. If it submits a new bill and parliament rejects it, the government must take responsibility and resign. Knowing this risk, it is unlikely the administration will bring this decree forward anytime soon,” said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Nevertheless, the measure is seen as a positive step towards improving the efficiency and credibility of law enforcement in Thailand’s capital market. Consequently, the stock market regulator and stakeholders are prepared to proceed once the political climate becomes more favourable, the source added.

SET chairman Kitipong Urapeepatanapong emphasised that strong law enforcement is key to building investor confidence.

Granting the SEC the authority to handle its own case files would shorten legal procedures, minimise market damage, and enhance investor protection, he noted.

“Even though the legal amendment process has stalled and is unlikely to move forward soon due to parliamentary approval requirements, we are exploring alternative approaches,” Mr Kitipong noted.

For instance, the SET is working with the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) to strengthen asset seizure mechanisms. AMLO will be empowered to freeze or confiscate assets immediately when clear evidence of wrongdoing is found.

“If we wait for lengthy legal procedures, assets are often transferred or hidden beyond reach,” said Mr Kitipong, adding that Thailand’s legal framework is well-designed but enforcement remains a weak point as “wealthy individuals often escape punishment”.

The chairman also urged the media to play a more active role in questioning why high-profile offenders often go unpunished, saying that transparent legal explanations would foster greater acceptance from the public and help restore confidence.

Meanwhile, SET has adopted artificial intelligence to enhance its monitoring of listed companies and detect irregularities more efficiently, he added.

In a shock move, the Football Association of Thailand (FAT) has announced the dismissal of Masatada Ishii as head coach of the national men’s football team, citing irreconcilable differences in team management philosophy.

The decision followed a meeting on Tuesday at the FAT headquarters between Ishii and the association’s technical committee, led by the association’s vice-president Dr Charnwit Polcheewin.

Also present at the meeting were FAT general secretary Ekapol Polnawee and Piyapong Pue-on, a Thai football legend and member of the executive committee.

The Japanese coach was informed about the decision after close monitoring, evaluation and review by the technical committee. It was concluded that his working methods and team management approach did not align with the association’s long-term vision, the FAT said.

The association expressed its gratitude to Ishii for his dedication and commitment in raising the standard of the Thai national team during his tenure and extended best wishes to him and his coaching staff for future success.

Ishii, in a statement on his Instagram account, said he was shocked by the decision.

‘I was called to look back on the two matches against Taiwan. After the review was over, I was suddenly told ‘Your contract will be terminated today’,’ Ishii wrote, referring to the ongoing Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers.

‘And then in the afternoon, the dismissal was announced. What dishonest people.’

Since taking charge of the War Elephants in December 2023, the Japanese coach recorded 16 wins from 30 matches, amounting to a win rate of 53%.

However, published records of the past Thailand head coaches suggest that Ishii’s win-rate is second only to that of Mano Polking (56.7 percent), the man he replaced in the national team’s dugout.

The FAT confirmed that the process of appointing a new head coach would be expedited to ensure continuity ahead of the upcoming Fifa international window in November 2025.

Thailand are scheduled to host Singapore in a friendly on Nov 13, before travelling to Sri Lanka for their fifth match in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers on Nov 18.

Possible successors

The names that have surfaced as frontrunners to take over from Ishii are Kiatisak Senamuang, Sasom Pobprasert and Anthony Hudson.

Hudson currently serves as the technical director of the FAT. The English-born coach has international experience, including a spell as interim head coach of the United States men’s national team.

Sasom, widely known as ‘Coach Tia’, is regarded as one of Thailand’s most skilled domestic coaches. He is currently in charge of PT Prachuap, where he has earned respect for his tactical expertise.

Kiatisak, or ‘Zico’, is a former head coach of the national team and a celebrated figure in Thai football, who now serves as the director of Liverpool Academy Thailand.

During his previous tenure with the national team, Kiatisak guided Thailand to two consecutive Asean titles, a King’s Cup triumph, and qualification for the final rounds of the AFC Asian Cup. His win-rate stands at 50 percent.

Ishii’s record with Thailand was marked by notable success at the regional level, particularly in the Asean Cup and the King’s Cup, where his leadership was widely praised.

However, performances in continental competitions, including the Fifa World Cup qualifiers and the AFC Asian Cup, did not meet the targets set by the FAT’s technical committee.

While Ishii’s tenure brought stability and success in Southeast Asia, the association has made clear that its ambitions extend further, with qualification for major continental and global tournaments a priority.

The FAT has emphasised that the decision to part ways with Ishii was made to align the national team with long-term goals, particularly in raising competitiveness at the Asian level.

Re: “Populism takes priority”, (BP, Oct 18).

Sadly, by choosing populism, the Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) missed a major opportunity to show that it can deliver solid benefits both during its fleeting tenure and the longer term. It should have pivoted its signature Khon La Khrueng Plus cost-sharing programme to focus on productivity-increasing goods and services rather than consumption for consumption’s sake.

For instance, farmers are 30% of our labour force, yet their incomes account for only 8%-9% of our GDP. Worse, 90% of farm households have debt loads so heavy that, on average, 48% of their already meagre H/H income goes to repay debt principal and interest.

So what does BJT do but tell them, “Go on a vacation, and we’ll pay half of your hotel bills!” Worse, there’ll be zero financial multiplier effect, for nobody will hire more staff or expand production capacity for a one-shot government cash injection.

BJT should have shown its vision and creativity by learning from Lao Tze, who taught, “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man how to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.”

For farmers, Mr Anutin should have co-paid costs of walk-behind tillers, harvest machines, or high-yielding seeds, which could show concrete gains even in one season. For those in our vital tourism industry, halving the costs of intensive language training would have empowered Thai guides to demand more for their skills and save tour firms from having to import foreign guides.

Show vision, Mr Anutin.

Burin Kantabutra

Polling can help

Re: “Parties jostle over charter rewrite path”, (Opinion, Oct 18).

Post columnist Chairith Yonpiam identifies a chronic symptom of Thailand’s dysfunctional politics. He neither identifies the disease nor offers any treatment. The disease is the usual white elephant rampaging unchecked. The treatment is to facilitate Thais knowing what their fellow Thai citizens think.

If a poll were done to discover what the nation’s voters think about, for example, whether or not chapters 1 and 2 of the latest permanent constitution are being rewritten, that would send a salutary signal to Bhumjaithai, the People’s Party, and other institutions. For some reason, no such pertinent polls are done.

Surely each and every Thai deserves to know what their fellow citizens actually think on such issues, do they not?

At the very least, a few such polls of public opinion would inform much healthier political discussion and law-making.

Felix Qui

The Thai Chamber of Commerce has proposed “Quick Big Win” measures to enhance labour management.

After a meeting with Labour Minister Treenuch Thienthong, Poj Aramwattananont, chairman of the chamber, said it has proposed six measures to address labour challenges, aiming for tangible results within four months.

The proposals include opposing amendments to the draft Labour Protection Act. He said the private sector should have an opportunity to express balanced and fair opinions for both employers and employees. Any amendment should not adversely affect national competitiveness, the investment climate or overall economic conditions.

The chamber also proposed the minimum wage adjustments should use a tripartite wage committee mechanism that considers the cost of living, production costs, labour productivity and local economic conditions to ensure fairness and balance for both employers and employees.

The ministry agreed to present this proposal to the national wage committee.

The chamber urged the government to review the foreign worker security deposit regulations by following the 2016 Ministerial Regulation on the issuance, renewal and security deposit requirements for foreign labour importation (Clause 22) to reduce cost burdens for businesses currently hiring migrant workers.

The private sector also called for labour skill enhancement by establishing a government-private-academic partnership to develop skills in line with industrial needs.

He said the chamber urged the government to establish a one-stop service centre for labour to facilitate visa and work permit processing for foreign investors and provide legal and regulatory consultations.

The centre would include agencies such as the Immigration Bureau, the Board of Investment and the Department of Foreign Trade, while also reducing costs and procedures for importing workers in labour-intensive industries.

Another proposal is establishing a joint public-private committee on labour to serve as a central mechanism to integrate labour policy proposals between the public and private sectors and achieve concrete outcomes within four months.

Mr Poj said the minister accepted all six proposals, which would be integrated with the ministry’s labour policy framework.

Ms Treenuch also endorsed the establishment of the joint public-private labour committee and directed the ministry to hold detailed talks with relevant agencies urgently.

The government intends to reduce power prices to ease the cost of living and introduce energy measures for the country’s targeted industries.

Speaking after an economic ministers’ meeting on Monday, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the talks had considered power-related measures under the Energy Ministry’s “Quick Big Win” plan. The aim is to finalise guidelines and implement methods to lower the cost of living for citizens, generate income for local communities, and prepare energy readiness for targeted industries that plan to invest in Thailand.

Such energy measures will continue from the “Khon La Khrueng Plus” co-payment scheme launched last week as part of the government’s ongoing economic stimulus efforts, which have received significant public interest.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said he had discussed with the Board of Investment the idea of introducing measures to accelerate the establishment of factories in Thailand by foreign companies receiving investment incentives, emphasising that energy supply is a crucial factor in this process.

Government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat said economic ministers would propose measures to help the public save on energy costs to the cabinet meeting scheduled for Oct 28.

The government expects to push forward three energy projects to completion by the end of this year. They are the community solar cell project, the solar cell project for farmers, and the electricity purchase project from citizens’ solar cells.

Mr Siripong said the community solar cell project would help reduce electricity costs for participating citizens to 3.10 baht a unit, down from the current 4.90 baht a unit.

On the economic stimulus project set to be considered by the cabinet on Tuesday, Mr Siripong said it would be a tourism stimulus project for secondary citites. The main principle of this project is that individuals would be allowed to claim tax deductions for their travel expenses, while hotel operators would also be able to deduct renovation expenses for their hotels from their taxable income.

As for the measures to reduce the cost of living for the public in the energy sector, previous governments implemented several initiatives, such as capping the diesel price at no more than 30 baht a litre through the use of excise tax mechanisms and the Fuel Oil Fund, fixing the price of liquefied petroleum gas at 423 baht per 15-kilogramme cylinder, and reducing the electricity tariff rate per unit.

The energy measures of Mr Anutin’s administration that have already been announced include the community solar cell installation project, among others.

Earlier, Mr Ekniti said the core of this government’s economic policy is to revive the economy quickly — to be Quick, Big and Win — or in other words, “short-term recovery with long-term goals”. The aim is to enhance the capabilities of the Thai people, increase their income-generating potential, and ensure balanced economic development across the country. This forms the main framework of Mr Anutin’s economic policy that has been assigned for implementation.

The Finance Ministry will consider opening a new round of registration for the “Khon La Khrueng Plus” co-payment scheme, after the first day of registration saw all 20 million available slots filled.

Responding to growing calls for the government to increase the number of participants in the scheme, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithaprapas said while the first phase of the programme is unlikely to be expanded due to budget constraints, the government will consider increasing the quota for the next phase, possibly in December this year.

He said approved participants must make their first purchase by Nov 11 to retain their rights, noting those who fail to spend the stimulus before the required period may see their slot reallocated to other registrants.

When asked to explain why some taxpayers will receive 2,000 baht instead of 2,400 baht, Mr Ekniti said the amount is determined based on the recipient’s latest tax filing with the Revenue Department.

The minister said more than 300,000 shops have already registered to join the programme, and additional identity checks for participating merchants have been introduced to protect against abuses and fraud.

Mr Ekniti said the government was pleased with the overwhelming response and that the Pao Tang mobile application operated smoothly despite heavy traffic.

According to figures released by Krungthai Care on its Facebook page, about 5 million people registered within the first 30 minutes of the registration opening at 6am on Monday.

Government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat later reported that more than 13 million people signed up within two hours.

By 4pm, the official website www.?????????????.com announced that all 20 million slots had been filled.

The first day of registration saw long queues outside many Krungthai Bank branches as many people sought help with identity verification, especially those who have recently changed mobile phone numbers or forgotten their passwords since the last co-payment scheme.

A 63-year-old songtaew driver identified only as Sommai said it took her half an hour to register successfully due to high traffic. She said it was a pity that the scheme does not cover fuel expenses, as it would have saved her a lot of money.

When asked if the government is planning to launch the second phase of the scheme soon, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who is also the interior minister, said the government will quickly implement projects which benefit the public.

The scheme will cover orders on food delivery services from Nov 7 to Dec 31.

Delivery platform Grab on Monday announced support for the co-payment scheme, saying it will reduce commission fees for restaurants that register on Nov 3 — the first day of registration for food delivery services — to 7%.

Chantsuda Thananitayaudom, country head of Grab Thailand, said that those who register on the following days will be charged a 9% commission.

Under the co-payment scheme, welfare cardholders will receive an additional 1,700 baht on top of their existing 300-baht monthly allowance, totalling 2,000 baht.

About 9 million people outside the tax system will receive 2,000 baht each, with spending capped at 200 baht per day. Another 11 million taxpayers will be entitled to 2,400 baht each under the same conditions.