Category: The Bangkok Post

Following the overwhelming success of last year’s debut of “Siriraj x MIT Hacking Medicine 2024”, the second annual hackathon will see teams from different disciplines collaborate to create breakthrough healthcare solutions from Oct 31 to Nov 2.

A partnership between the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University and MIT Hacking Medicine at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, this year’s hackathon focuses on two tracks — chronic disease management and mental health solutions.

Over the weekend and through to the “Conference Day” on Nov 4, healthcare professionals, technologists, designers, business people, entrepreneurs and investors will work together on promising new solutions to pressing healthcare challenges across the Asean region.

This year’s events highlight the potential of AI tools for tackling challenges facing patients, clinicians and the healthcare system. “AI Today, Transforming Tomorrow’s Healthcare” are the underlying theme for both the hackathon and conference.

After the three-day intensive hackathon, winning teams will have networking opportunities with peers, regional stakeholders and global experts during “Beyond Hack Day” on Nov 3 at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.

Set for Nov 4 at Grande Centre Point Lumphini, Rama IV Road, the “Conference Day” will feature keynotes and panels with global health tech pioneers, investors and clinicians along with lively interactive sessions on innovation.

The conference will allow many topics to be discussed in both larger plenary sessions and interactive meetings where Siriraj researchers and practitioners will get to have focused conversations with industry, students and winners from the hackathon, and other trainees will get to learn from workshops by subject matter expertise and participate in discussions to take their ideas forward.

Tickets cost 2,000 baht (1,000 baht for students and faculty) for the “Beyond Hack” and 15,000 baht (5,000 baht for students and faculty) for both the conference and “Beyond Hack”. They are available at ticketmelon.com.

Anyapat Phichitpreechasak became the third Thai player to win the girls’ singles gold medal at the BWF World Junior Championships on Sunday.

The Thai second seed defeated Indian top seed Tanvi Sharma 15-7, 15-12 in the final to be crowned world junior champion in the 2025 championships in Guwahati, India.

The 17-year-old followed in the footsteps of Ratchanok Intanon and Pitchamon Opatniputh, who also won the same title at the prestigious tournament.

Ratchanok won three successive titles from 2009-2011 while Pitchamon took gold in 2023.

Kunlavut Vitidsarn won the boys’ singles crown three times from 2017-2019.

Other Thai gold medallists were Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Kittinupong Kedren (boys’ doubles, 2014) and Maneepong Jongjit and Rodjana Chuthabunditkul (mixed doubles, 2009).

Homes and communities that support longevity are crucial for good ageing, the Bangkok Post Forum was told on Tuesday.

Speaking during the panel ‘Smart Living: the Next Chapter of Ageing in Place’, the assembled experts agreed that these spaces need to be responsive to the needs of residents while maintaining links to the outside world and all age groups.

The discussion was part of the ‘Living Well, Living Long’ forum at Eden Square, CentralWorld.

Peerapong Peerachotiwatra, the CEO of Thonburi Wellbeing, said places that become the home of Thailand’s future elderly will need to be strong in seven dimensions: restfulness, nutrition, exercise, mental health, socialisation, learning and preventive healthcare.

Referring to Jin Wellbeing County, a project by Thonburi Wellbeing, he said the best residential spaces for the elderly of tomorrow will not just rely on cutting-edge technology that supports smart living, but will also embrace a new universal design concept that supports the multitude of lifestyles and lifestyle choices in the communities they house.

‘Universal design is about more than just incorporating wheelchair lanes and disabled access, but rather it means a design ethos that connects everyone who lives there,’ he said.

In addition, high-security areas where 24/7 hospital or medical centres can be accessed by all within four minutes need to exist alongside a fully connected local network of homes that can rely on support being alerted and arriving at the front door equally quickly should an emergency occur.

He also pointed out that this kind of supported-living community has become a popular new investment opportunity as it piggybacks on many of the current wellness trends already sweeping across the global tourism industry as whole, especially among younger buyers.

At the same time, concerns caused by the earthquake felt in Thailand in March this year have led to more demand for the style of buildings being promoted under the Jin Wellbeing banner.

People instantly began seeking low-rise accommodation to mitigate against the potential for disastrous high-rise collapses.

Small low-rises with strong foundations soon became the must-have properties among wealthy buyers shaken by this sudden glimpse of one potential future.

‘As well as being concerned about the strength of a building, prospective buyers are also acutely aware of the scenarios that can occur after the biggest tremors have passed, particularly how they could escape a collapse within a short period of time. Therefore, consumers are deliberately seeking out low-rise buildings,’ Mr Peerapong said.

‘If there is a strong demand for these types of residences, that in itself will drive construction.’

The global wellness industry is projected to grow by 7.3% a year from 2023-28, when it will be worth $9 trillion. The market in Asia alone is already estimated to be worth $1.8 trillion.

In Thailand, tourists also spend billions of baht each year on wellness products and services, noted Rattawat Pasiri, the acting chief financial officer of Thonburi Wellbeing.

‘From the numbers, we can see that the growth in the wellness sector is very strong, and could grow further in the next 3-5 years,’ he said.

Despite this, he said investors need to overcome challenges to make their products attractive to customers, especially when it comes to residences catering to the wellness market.

‘Longevity-supporting real estate needs to be responsive to residents’ lifestyles,’ he said. ‘At the same time, the social security system needs to support their lives as well.’

On the consumer side, he said that this kind of real estate is not exclusively for the aged. People who are in their thirties could start to invest in such residences, for instance, buying to rent out or live in themselves.

CG Capital Advisory, the private equity arm of Central Group, plans to invest over 5 billion baht to develop five hotels in Phuket and Samui, alongside the launch of the InterContinental Residences Bangkok Asoke, a 5.5-billion-baht condominium project.

Phoom Chirathivat, managing partner and co-head of CG Capital, said that one of the hotels will be in Samui, while the remaining four will be in Phuket, with one featuring a water park.

“From our initial investment budget of 10 billion baht, we have so far committed 8.5 billion baht in equity across seven projects since our establishment last year,” he said. “The remaining 1.5 billion baht will be allocated to one or two additional projects.”

One of the upcoming investments, to be made within the next 18 months, will be a branded residence project in Bangkok, developed on a leasehold plot.

Of the seven committed projects, two are branded residences in Phuket and Bangkok. The Phuket development, The Standard Residences Phuket Bang Tao, was launched last year and has achieved 85% sales, with Thai buyers accounting for 60% of total units sold.

The Bangkok project, InterContinental Residences Bangkok Asoke, valued at 5.5 billion baht, will be on a 1.5-rai plot on Sukhumvit Soi 16. It will be the world’s first standalone InterContinental-branded residence.

The development will feature a 32-storey tower with 88 units, ranging from two-bedroom units of 139 square metres to a duplex penthouse of 547 sq m, priced between 40.8 and 245 million baht, or an average of 350,000 baht per sq m.

According to property consultancy CBRE Thailand, Thailand led the Asia-Pacific region and ranked fourth globally, following the United States, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Mexico, in terms of the number of branded residences as of the fourth quarter of 2024.

In Bangkok, which ranked seventh among global cities, there are 11 branded residence projects, comprising nine five-star hotel-branded and two non-hotel developments.

“However, only three of the hotel-branded residences are freehold, and they have recorded very strong sales, with 93% sold and just 33 units remaining on the market,” said Artitaya Kasemlawan, head of residential sales projects at CBRE Thailand.

She said super-luxury and branded residence condos in downtown Bangkok generate an average rental yield of 4.8% a year, with the highest yields reaching 7.9%, while Grade-A serviced apartments in Sukhumvit enjoy rental growth of 8.5%.

“Sukhumvit remains Bangkok’s most sought-after address for expatriates, accounting for 65% of demand, compared with 18% for Silom–Sathorn and only 9% for Central Lumpini and Siam,” she added.

She said the average asking price of freehold, future off-plan units in the high-end and above segments in Central Lumpini and Sukhumvit around 2014 were roughly 210,000 and 175,000 baht per sq m, respectively.

During 2020–2022, Central Lumpini surged ahead, reaching 480,000 baht per sq m, while Sukhumvit stood at 250,000 baht per sq m.

By the second quarter of 2025, prices stood at 368,571 baht per sq m for Central Lumpini and 366,000 baht per sq m for Sukhumvit.

True Corporation Plc is the first telecom firm in Asia to launch a green financing programme, allowing its suppliers to access funding as part of its commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

This recent initiative with its partners incentivises suppliers to meet future sustainability compliance requirements, enhances their sales opportunities and accelerates the development of a green ecosystem in Thailand.

True developed the programme because suppliers are crucial driving forces in reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the entire supply chain as Thailand aims to meet its sustainability goals, said Naetchanok Wipatasinlapin, head of sustainability at the company.

True committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050.

True has roughly 2,000 suppliers and more than 100 have passed an environmental, social and governance standards assessment, she said.

“We found 50 of our top-tier suppliers are interested in the green financing programme,” said Ms Naetchanok.

According to a supplier survey, the top three drivers for sustainability compliance are financing, regulatory requirements and tax incentives.

Notably, financial support accounts for 50% of the motivation, highlighting its critical role in enabling suppliers to meet sustainability standards.

To address these needs, True collaborated with Pantavanij and TMBThanachart (ttb) to launch the “Green Financing Program” for the first time in Asia, she said.

This initiative aims to facilitate green financing for partners, enabling them to implement environmental and clean energy projects, as well as gain access to special loans linked to jointly defined sustainability outcomes.

“This model will not only enhance our partners’ capabilities to stay ahead of the green business transition and meet the needs of environmentally conscious consumers, but also aligns with investors’ focus on decarbonisation,” said Ms Naetchanok.

Embracing sustainability ensures regulatory compliance and helps businesses reduce long-term operational costs through energy efficiency, she said. The stance also positions enterprises to better serve environmentally conscious customers, said Ms Naetchanok.

Among True suppliers, those in the core network and infrastructure supply and service category account for 36%, and this group is the first target for green loans, she said.

Yaonicha Homesethie, head of commercial credit product management at ttb, said the bank partnered with True for financing options such as green and blue loans for long-term support of clean energy, energy efficiency, sustainable resource management and green buildings.

Another option is sustainability-linked loans, a special financing linked to a company’s sustainability performance. Meanwhile, solar engineering-procurement-construction comprehensive financing solutions offer end-to-end finance for solar energy projects.

In addition, hire-purchase financial leases are available for electric vehicles.

“We offer special interest rates under these collaborations,” Ms Yaonicha said.

Nisakorn Wanglee, deputy director of Pantavanij, said the company provides e-procurement systems to Charoen Pokphand Group and other businesses, with 300 large corporate buyers and 35,00 sellers representing a total purchasing volume of 200 billion baht and more than 3 million purchase orders.

“Our data can serve as a valuable resource for banks to assess and provide financing, helping them reduce risk exposure while supporting sustainable supply chains,” said Mr Nisakorn.

Sigve Brekke, group chief executive of True, said at the True Supplier Forum 2025 there are three necessary components for long-term business survival: company actions must benefit the country, the people and the company itself. He said True has two targets in the supply chain: zero accidents and zero emissions.

“The zero emission target is more important than bringing down the cost,” said Mr Brekke. “We can stand out in other industries by providing a template.”

Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction Plc (STEC) and its subsidiary HTR Co on Monday launched a defamation complaint against People’s Party MPs Suphanat Minchaiynunt and Rukchanok Srinork, claiming their social media posts falsely implied STEC’s involvement with a scam network.

A source said a legal representative of the firm filed the complaint at Thong Lor Police Station after Mr Suphanat posted on his Facebook page on Friday, citing information from the Department of Business Development that Prince International is located at Sino-Thai Tower on Sukhumvit 21 Road (Asok).

The complaint came as STEC issued a statement addressing the claims that link the company to an alleged scammer network said to be operating from Sino-Thai Tower.

The statement referred to media reports about Prince International Co Ltd being based in Sino-Thai Tower, which had led to public speculation and the spread of inaccurate or incomplete information.

STEC, as the parent company overseeing subsidiaries including HTR Co, which manages the tower, said it has no direct or indirect connection with Prince International Co Ltd or any unlawful activities.

To protect its reputation, STEC lodged its complaint with the police and reserved the right to pursue further legal action if the statements are found to be false or violate rights and cause damage to the company.

STEC said it was fully cooperating with relevant agencies to ensure transparency and public confidence.

On Friday, Prince International, which rents space in Sino-Thai Tower, issued a statement saying that it has a lease agreement covering the period from October 2023 to September next year.

The company operates in real estate brokerage and is entirely unrelated to Cambodia’s Prince Holding Group, which is allegedly involved in online cryptocurrency investment scams.

Prince Holding’s founder and chairman, Chinese-born British-Cambodian tycoon Chen Zhi, 38, was indicted in a Brooklyn federal court on Oct 14 on charges of wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy.

His bitcoin and assets have been frozen by the United Kingdom and the United States.

The statement also said that Prince International has never conducted any illegal business activities and that its operation is based on transparency and the law.

The Electronic Transactions Development Agency (Etda) is conducting a study into efforts to govern the gross profit (GP) fee charged by digital platforms, having been assigned this task by Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Chaichanok Chidchob.

Chaichana Mitrpant, executive director of Etda, said the agency would explore two potential methods to oversee the GP fee with the Trade Competition Commission of Thailand.

The first question relates to whether Etda’s electronic transaction committee has the legal authority to set the GP rate. The trade commission also plans to evaluate whether it is empowered to govern the GP rate.

Both agencies plan to work together more closely to establish guidelines to govern the GP fee, he said.

Mr Chaichanok said earlier he wanted to address alleged monopolisation of the online delivery business by foreign e-commerce platforms, with the aim of benefiting consumers.

The DES Ministry also plans to push for digital platforms to adopt a lower GP rate.

Some e-commerce platforms have already expressed their intention to participate in talks on the GP issue, said Mr Chaichanok.

In a related matter, Mr Chaichana said the ministry asked Etda to monitor enforcement of the law governing online ride-hailing platforms, which took effect on Oct 2.

Etda is asking platform operators to review limitations in the law as it seeks ways to help them fully comply with the regulations.

He said the ministry has many bills it plans to push for cabinet consideration, including the draft of the Digital Platform Economy Act. This new law is meant to support social and economic development, as well as increase public confidence in the electronic data system and prevent potential damage to the public.

The draft sets out duties for digital platforms according to their type and size to protect consumers, ensure fair competition and encourage their self-regulation in accordance with the principles of good governance.

Bhumjaithai Party candidate Wisuda Vicheansil, 31, won Sunday’s by-election in Kanchanaburi province with 53,542 votes, comfortably defeating Shinawat Maendet, 67, of the Pheu Thai Party, who received 36,521 votes.

The by-election was organised in Constituency 4 on Sunday. It happened because Sakda Vicheansil, Ms Wisuda’s father, resigned from Pheu Thai to join the ruling Bhumjaithai Party. Mr Sakda is a deputy interior minister.

In the Sunday’s by-election, 96,058 people cast their votes and constituted 72% of eligible voters in the constituency which covers Bo Phloi, Nong Prue, Huay Krachao and Lao Khwan districts.

Late last month Bhumjaithai easily won a by-election in Si Sa Ket province.

People’s Party (PP) MPs have questioned influencer Guntouch Pongpaiboonwet’s use of a Ministry of Agriculture helicopter to deliver flood relief.

On Sept 26, 2024, Gun Jompalang boarded a helicopter of the Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation to deliver food supplies to flood victims and residents cut off by damaged roads in Wiang Pa Pao district, Chiang Rai.

The controversy arose after Narongdet Urankul, a party-list MP for the PP, posted images of a helicopter on Facebook, explaining the five primary functions of the Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation Department under the ministry.

He said any mission outside the main plan must be authorised by the minister.

He would ask which operations had been commissioned by the minister, and whether private individuals were able to use state-owned choppers.

The post drew attention from fellow People’s Party MP Rukchanok Srinork who asked, “Is this the same helicopter that Guntouch used?” tagging him directly to request clarity.

Mr Guntough said he would explain the matter on Monday.

“I have arranged to respond on a pre-recorded TV programme. This avoids unnecessary back-and-forth disputes and ensures transparency,” he said. “If people want to help monitor, I welcome it. It gives me a chance to demonstrate clearly what I have done and to show that there is nothing to hide.”

Guntouch has come under fire for his campaign to blast creepy sounds through loudspeakers at Cambodians living along the border, as part of a nationalistic campaign which also draws on financial support from his charitable foundation to help locals affected by the border row.

Beyond the helicopter issue, Guntouch continues local development work. “The road project in Ban Nong Ya Kaeo has reached 80% completion,” he said.

“Mutual understanding and lawful procedures are key. I am committed to safe initiatives that benefit the community, and I hope our work can serve the public effectively.”

True Corporation Plc is the first telecom firm in Asia to launch a green financing programme, allowing its suppliers to access funding as part of its commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

This recent initiative with its partners incentivises suppliers to meet future sustainability compliance requirements, enhances their sales opportunities and accelerates the development of a green ecosystem in Thailand.

True developed the programme because suppliers are crucial driving forces in reducing greenhouse gas emissions across the entire supply chain as Thailand aims to meet its sustainability goals, said Naetchanok Wipatasinlapin, head of sustainability at the company.

True committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050.

True has roughly 2,000 suppliers and more than 100 have passed an environmental, social and governance standards assessment, she said.

“We found 50 of our top-tier suppliers are interested in the green financing programme,” said Ms Naetchanok.

According to a supplier survey, the top three drivers for sustainability compliance are financing, regulatory requirements and tax incentives.

Notably, financial support accounts for 50% of the motivation, highlighting its critical role in enabling suppliers to meet sustainability standards.

To address these needs, True collaborated with Pantavanij and TMBThanachart (ttb) to launch the “Green Financing Program” for the first time in Asia, she said.

This initiative aims to facilitate green financing for partners, enabling them to implement environmental and clean energy projects, as well as gain access to special loans linked to jointly defined sustainability outcomes.

“This model will not only enhance our partners’ capabilities to stay ahead of the green business transition and meet the needs of environmentally conscious consumers, but also aligns with investors’ focus on decarbonisation,” said Ms Naetchanok.

Embracing sustainability ensures regulatory compliance and helps businesses reduce long-term operational costs through energy efficiency, she said. The stance also positions enterprises to better serve environmentally conscious customers, said Ms Naetchanok.

Among True suppliers, those in the core network and infrastructure supply and service category account for 36%, and this group is the first target for green loans, she said.

Yaonicha Homesethie, head of commercial credit product management at ttb, said the bank partnered with True for financing options such as green and blue loans for long-term support of clean energy, energy efficiency, sustainable resource management and green buildings.

Another option is sustainability-linked loans, a special financing linked to a company’s sustainability performance. Meanwhile, solar engineering-procurement-construction comprehensive financing solutions offer end-to-end finance for solar energy projects.

In addition, hire-purchase financial leases are available for electric vehicles.

“We offer special interest rates under these collaborations,” Ms Yaonicha said.

Nisakorn Wanglee, deputy director of Pantavanij, said the company provides e-procurement systems to Charoen Pokphand Group and other businesses, with 300 large corporate buyers and 35,00 sellers representing a total purchasing volume of 200 billion baht and more than 3 million purchase orders.

“Our data can serve as a valuable resource for banks to assess and provide financing, helping them reduce risk exposure while supporting sustainable supply chains,” said Mr Nisakorn.

Sigve Brekke, group chief executive of True, said at the True Supplier Forum 2025 there are three necessary components for long-term business survival: company actions must benefit the country, the people and the company itself. He said True has two targets in the supply chain: zero accidents and zero emissions.

“The zero emission target is more important than bringing down the cost,” said Mr Brekke. “We can stand out in other industries by providing a template.”