Category: The Bangkok Post

The parliamentary committee reviewing the constitutional amendment bill held its first meeting on Monday, electing Nutthawut Buaprathum, a list-MP from the People’s Party (PP), as chairman via a secret ballot.

Of the 43 members, 40 attended. Mr Nutthawut won by 25 votes to 12, with three abstentions, defeating Chousak Sirinil, a Pheu Thai list-MP.

Three deputy chairmen were named: Chawengsak Rengpaiboonwong (Bhumjaithai), Pol Col Tawee Sodsong (Prachachat), and Senator Premsak Piayura. Ausorn Kaewwichien (PP) was appointed committee secretary.

Spokespersons include senators Norasate Prachyakorn and Phisit Apivatanapong, Phanida Mongkolsawat (PP), and Ekaporn Rakkwamsuk (Pheu Thai).

The panel will meet three times a week from Oct 22. Only 11 meetings are scheduled before the draft’s second reading in late November.

The PP’s bill proposes a constitution drafting assembly (CDA) of 35 members selected by parliament from 70 candidates elected by the public, plus a 100-member advisory council chosen from all provinces.

Deputy Prime Minister Borwornsak Uwanno last week proposed holding the referendum and general election on March 29 next year to reduce costs and comply with the four-month roadmap agreed under the memorandum between Bhumjaithai and the PP, following the latter’s support for Anutin Charnvirakul as prime minister.

LGBTQ+ advocates have urged the Thai Red Cross’s National Blood Centre to revise its blood donation application form following an Administrative Court ruling which upheld the ban on LGBTQ+ blood donations as non-discriminatory for public safety.

Critics argue the Sept 19 decision overlooked key issues in the form, sparking calls for a more inclusive and evidence-based screening process.

Kittinun Daramadhaj, president of the Rainbow Sky Association of Thailand and member of the Committee on Consideration of Unfair Gender Discrimination, told the Bangkok Post the court misunderstood the distinction between screening under the blood donation application form and laboratory blood testing.

“I fully agree that ensuring pure and safe blood is essential — no one wants unsafe blood,” he said. “The complaint filed in 2019 by a transgender woman focused solely on the form, not the lab process,” he said.

The previous form required only male-assigned-at-birth donors to declare anal sex, perpetuating stereotypes about men who have sex with men (MSM) while overlooking similar risks among heterosexuals engaging in anal sex.

He said anyone can engage in such activity, and the form should allow everyone to respond equally.

The 2022 committee ruling deemed the form discriminatory under the Gender Equality Act, mandating revisions to ensure inclusivity and remove stigma.

Mr Kittinun said the committee will appeal the case to the Supreme Administrative Court and will focus specifically on the blood donation application form, leaving laboratory processes separate.

He said while the Red Cross has revised its forms multiple times to promote inclusivity, they still primarily target so-called high-risk groups. The current form asks donors to declare biological sex and gender with options of woman, man, transwoman and transman.

The form also asks about sexual behaviour including having sexual contact with the same biological sex or opposite biological sex. The form asks about partner’s risk characteristics, and HIV treatment or prevention history, including PrEP or PEP.

Those identified as high-risk may be refused, prompting some to falsify their responses. “Many sex workers or drug users lie on the form to avoid refusal or prosecution,” Mr Kittinun said.

Nittaya Phanuphak, executive director of Thailand’s Institute of HIV Research and Innovation, said such profiling is outdated and not evidence-based.

Using effective protection — like condoms, HIV prevention drugs (PrEP, PEP) or having an undetectable viral load — lowers HIV risk for everyone, regardless of gender or sexual activity. Laboratory methods such as Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAT) detect pathogens, ensuring blood safety independently of donor profiles, she said.

She suggested the blood donor form be neutral on sexual practices, occupations and HIV prevention to avoid marginalising sex workers, PrEP users and those with HIV-positive partners whose viral load is undetectable and therefore untransmittable.

Including an “HIV protection methods” question would promote inclusivity and ensure Thailand’s blood supply remains safe and sufficient, she said.

Mr Kittinun agreed the blood donation form should focus on individual risk behaviours rather than identity, with detailed questions on sexual practices, drug use and HIV or sexually transmitted infection protection.

He said such specificity would encourage honesty and accountability among donors. He said the application form should serve as a screening tool, not to determine eligibility for blood donation.

A man who parked his pickup truck behind an ambulance is accused of disrupting the emergency transfer of a critically ill patient at Plaipraya Hospital in Krabi province.

The patient later died from respiratory failure.

The hospital issued a statement on Saturday to explain the incident, which took place on Thursday, Oct 16.

At 11.10pm, staff were preparing to transfer a male patient suffering from acute myocardial infarction and respiratory failure to Krabi Hospital.

At 11.15pm, a brown Toyota pickup truck was parked closely behind the designated ambulance, blocking its rear door.

The truck was transporting a 69-year-old woman patient. The hospital said the head nurse explained the critical situation to the relatives and asked them to wait, providing a bed for their mother. However, the family complained loudly about the lack of immediate attention.

When staff were ready to load the critical patient into the ambulance, the truck was still blocking the way. Staff and the family of the critical patient pleaded with the driver to move the vehicle, but he continued to argue angrily for some time before eventually complying.

The critical patient, who was the father of the family, died later that night.

The hospital said the actions of the truck owner ‘obstructed urgent duties of the medical team’.

According to Thairath Online, a daughter of the deceased, Pattaraporn Panich, 29, said she believed a faster transfer might have saved her father.

Plaipraya Hospital director Dr Natthapong Doo-Ngam told Thairath the hospital has assigned its legal team to gather evidence and consider reporting to police on Monday.

Veteran politician Gen Thammarak Isarangkura na Ayudhaya has been appointed as chief adviser to the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) which has expressed hopes of winning about 50-60 House seats in the next general election.

Gen Thammarak, 87, said on Monday that he accepted PPRP leader Gen Prawit Wongsuwon’s invitation to return to politics after being away for several years, noting that the current political situation appeared chaotic with politicians being lured to switch parties with offers.

He said he would serve only as an adviser, not as an MP candidate, focusing on elections and national security, and he would put to good use his experience with the now-dissolved Thai Rak Thai (TRT) Party, of which he served as deputy leader.

According to Gen Thammarak, he was responsible for managing TRT’s election campaigns in the Northeast, where the party won 126 out of 136 seats.

He added that the next polls, expected early next year, would be fiercely contested.

Gen Thammarak suggested PPRP focus on clear policies and effective communication with the public.

His return was unveiled as the PPRP opened its new headquarters in Bangkok’s Bang Pho area following the departure of former secretary-general Santi Promphat (PPRP), who defected to the ruling Bhumjaithai Party. The new office replaced the previous one linked to Mr Santi.

Gen Prawit urged members to stay united and keep fighting as he presided over the opening of the new head office.

Some key party figures, including party deputy leader Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn, did not attend amid reports that he has resigned from the party.

PPRP acting secretary-general Pakarathorn Thianchai expressed confidence in Gen Thammarak’s experience and calibre, saying the party would hope to win 50-60 seats in the next polls.

He said the party’s core policies focus on national stability, economic improvement and upholding the monarchy, adding that the party welcomes capable, honest people who want to work for the country.

Mr Pakarathorn also confirmed that Gen Prawit would be one of the party’s prime ministerial candidates, although the two other potential candidates had yet to be discussed.

Newly re-elected Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has reaffirmed the party’s commitment to liberal democratic principles, vowing to steer clear of political conflicts involving the monarchy and reject any exploitation of the military.

Speaking after the party elected its new executive board, Mr Abhisit thanked members for reappointing him, emphasising the Democrat Party remains the only Thai political institution with a genuinely democratic internal election system.

Mr Abhisit previously led the party from 2005 to 2019. After a dramatic setback in the last election, when the party won just 25 MP seats, veteran members rallied behind his return.

“Those elected as party leader must remember their position exists because of the collective consent of members nationwide — the true owners of the party,” he said.

He praised predecessor Chalermchai Sri-on, noting their differences but commending his dedication. “Every MP, former candidate and branch representative can attest to his devotion.”

Reflecting on his resignation nearly two years ago, he called it one of the hardest decisions of his life. “Before I left, I said I would never join another party. If I were to bleed, my blood would be blue — Democrat blue — until I die.”

A former prime minister, Mr Abhisit pledged to move the party beyond “empty rhetoric” and divisive labels. “We don’t need to debate whether we are conservative, democratic or progressive. Since 1946, our ideology has been clear: we are the original liberal democratic party of Thailand.”

He reiterated the party would not engage in political processes that drag the monarchy into partisan disputes. “The monarchy is the spiritual centre of the Thai people and must remain above politics.”

He also rejected politicising the military. “When the armed forces defend national sovereignty, politicians should not exploit it. Instead, politics must support diplomacy and proactive foreign policy.”

Mr Abhisit pledged to restore good governance. “Political responsibility must stand higher than legal responsibility. Ethics are crucial, but must not be weaponised to destroy opponents.”

He also brushed off jibes his return was “old wine in an old bottle”. “To all those tired of the politics you see today — come and join us.”

The commander of Thailand’s Fourth Army Region has confirmed that suspects involved in the daring Oct 5 gold robbery in Sungai Kolok district, Narathiwat province, have been identified, with individuals holding dual nationalities among those implicated. The heist saw 600 baht-weight of gold stolen in a swift and coordinated operation.

Lt Gen Narathip Phoi-nok said investigators have made significant progress in the case, pinpointing members of the group behind the robbery. Interrogations are currently underway, though he declined to reveal whether the suspects were insurgents or former officials, citing the sensitive nature of the ongoing investigation.

The general noted that it remains unclear whether the stolen gold is still within Thailand. Some suspects are believed to have fled across the border, while others are thought to be hiding within the country. Authorities are working to verify their movements and whereabouts.

Cross-border coordination has already begun, with Thai officials liaising with neighbouring countries to track suspects and confirm identities. Lt Gen Narathip acknowledged that individuals with dual citizenship are involved, adding a layer of complexity to the investigation.

Despite the high-profile nature of the case, the army chief dismissed concerns that the incident reflects poorly on his leadership. Since assuming command of the Fourth Army Region, Lt Gen Narathip has faced a series of serious incidents in the deep South, but he remains resolute.

‘I’m not discouraged,’ he said. ‘I’m ready to face every challenge. Whether this was meant to test me or not, it doesn’t matter. I’m prepared.’

The robbery has sparked renewed scrutiny of security measures in the southern border provinces, where tensions and criminal activity often overlap. Authorities are expected to release further details as the investigation progresses.

A Chinese man was injured after accidentally falling from the third floor of a hotel early Sunday morning.

Rescue workers were alerted to the incident at a hotel near Balihai headland around 4.40am.

Upon arrival, they found a Chinese man with injuries to his leg, arm and body. He was given first aid at the scene before being taken to a local hospital.

Natthapol Khampard, 38, a hotel employee, said the Chinese man was not a guest. He appeared terrified, ran into the hotel, rushed to the third floor, climbed onto a balcony, tried to evade capture and then fell to the ground.

Hotel security guard Wichai Phuddee, 59, said the man had arrived in a white car with a Thai woman. According to her, the man had earlier been drinking with friends and there had been no argument between them.

The woman later left the hotel in the same car without checking on the injured man, the guard said. Pattaya police are investigating the incident.

Registration for the “Khon La Khrueng Plus” programme has officially opened, says Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas.

During a visit to Pathum Thani and Nonthaburi on Sunday to monitor the roll-out of the co-payment scheme, Mr Ekniti said the programme will benefit not only consumers, but also small business owners, and local shops.

He said over 200,000 vendors have already registered to take part in the programme. Registration for vendors will remain open until Dec 19.

Mr Ekniti said in this phase of the scheme, licensed public transport drivers, including motorcycle taxis and bus operators, are also eligible to join as service providers. The Ministry of Transport will provide subsidies to reduce travel expenses for the public, allowing citizens to pay only half of transport costs.

The initiative includes discounted fares for buses operated by the Transport Co Ltd across the country.

During his visit, Mr Ekniti said many local shops and residents responded positively to the scheme and asked for the second phase of the scheme to run for a longer period. He instructed the Ministries of Finance and Interior to monitor for any misuse of the programme, warning that anyone found guilty will face strict legal action.

The Khon La Khrueng Plus scheme, initiated by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, is part of the government’s Quick Big Win strategy to boost economy and reduce the cost of living for the public.

Meanwhile, deputy government spokeswoman Airin Phanrit said the scheme has drawn healthy interest from consumers and merchants.

Some 123,960 shops have registered between Oct 15 and 17 while another 98,064 are still undergoing the verification process. In total, over 222,000 shops have applied so far.

Registration for consumers will be available through the Pao Tang app from Oct 20-26 between 6am and 10pm. Participants will receive between 2,000 and 2,400 baht each, with a daily spending limit of 200 baht.

Ms Airin also warned of increased online scams exploiting the scheme’s popularity, saying cybercriminals have been sending fake links to steal personal data and bank account information. She advised the public to avoid clicking on suspicious SMS links or sharing personal details, including ID numbers, PINs, OTPs or bank data.

Microsoft has acknowledged a bug in the October Windows 11 update (KB5066835) that renders USB-connected mice and keyboards unusable within the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), preventing users from accessing critical repair tools.

The company confirmed the issue and stated it is working to resolve the problem swiftly.

Following the release of the October Windows 11 patch (KB5066835), numerous users reported that their USB-connected mice and keyboards ceased functioning in the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). Microsoft has officially admitted the existence of the problem and stated that developers are working on a fix patch.

While this may not affect general users immediately, the WinRE is a vital system necessary when a computer encounters problems, as it aggregates the tools used to rescue a user’s machine. The inability to use the mouse and keyboard in this environment means users cannot access essential troubleshooting tools, such as:

Startup Repair: Fixes issues that prevent Windows from booting.

System Restore: Reverts system settings back to a previously working state.

Uninstall Updates: Removes recent updates that might be the cause of system problems.

Command Prompt: Allows for advanced commands to diagnose and fix system files.

Crucially, if a computer fails to boot three consecutive times, it automatically enters the WinRE screen. Without a functional mouse and keyboard, users will be unable to proceed with any recovery actions, leaving their computer stuck.

While waiting for the official fix from Microsoft, users who encounter this issue can try the following temporary workarounds:

Switch to PS/2 Keyboards and Mice: If an older keyboard or mouse with the round PS/2 port (purple/green) is available, it can be used in the WinRE screen, as the problem only affects USB ports.

Create a Windows 11 Bootable USB: Users can create a Windows 11 installation drive via USB on another computer. Booting from this drive provides a “Repair your computer” option during the setup process, which leads to a fully functional Recovery Environment because it runs from the USB, not the damaged system.

Microsoft has confirmed the bug, stating it “is working to release a resolution in the coming days” but has not yet provided a precise timeline for the fix.

The next stage of the global AI race will be decided not by algorithms or chips, but by electricity — and that puts China at a distinct advantage. While Western tech giants are emphasising closed, capital-intensive models that demand enormous computing power, China is embracing open source AI and massively expanding its renewable- and nuclear-energy capacity, thereby positioning itself to deploy powerful AI technologies at scale without breaking the bank.

These differences reflect a more fundamental split. Whereas the United States and its allies have treated AI as a proprietary technology, China has approached it as public infrastructure, building an open AI ecosystem that reflects the same philosophy it applied to manufacturing: broad adoption, fast iteration and relentless cost reduction. Chinese open source models like DeepSeek, Qwen and Kimi are not just scientific achievements; they are strategic instruments designed for participation, and they are transforming the economics of AI.

DeepSeek’s latest version reportedly matches the capabilities of frontier systems, like those being developed by US companies, at a fraction of their compute cost. Qwen and Kimi’s API prices have fallen by orders of magnitude. In purely economic terms, the marginal cost of “thought” is collapsing. The inference costs of some Chinese models are a 10th or less of those incurred by OpenAI’s GPT-4.

The cheaper AI becomes, however, the more of it the world consumes, with each token saved inviting a thousand more to be generated. The same dynamic that once powered the coal age now drives the digital one. In China, this is by design: low inference costs, together with the open weights of Chinese models, are intended to invite experimentation across universities, startups and local governments. But all that activity requires energy: the International Energy Agency expects global electricity consumption from data centres to double by 2030 (from 2024 levels), driven largely by AI workloads. Training GPT-4 alone likely consumed millions of kilowatt-hours — enough to power San Francisco for three days.

What once was a contest of algorithms is fast becoming a contest of kilowatts, and China is setting itself up to win. In 2024, the country added 356 gigawatts of renewable-energy capacity — more than the US, the European Union and India combined — with 91% of all new generation coming from solar, wind and hydro. Battery storage tripled from 2021 levels, and an ultra-high-voltage grid now carries clean power thousands of miles, from deserts to data hubs.

China is also investing heavily in nuclear energy. According to the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, its nuclear research and development spending is roughly five times higher than that of the US. As its fourth-generation reactors and small modular designs advance from pilot to deployment, nuclear energy is quietly providing the baseload power that intermittent renewables cannot.

This combination of open AI models, cheap renewables and a stable supply of nuclear power forms what might be called an energy-compute flywheel: more clean power enables more compute, which in turn optimises the grid. Already, machine-learning systems are predicting solar output, managing energy storage and balancing load across China’s vast power network in real time. The result is a reorganisation of industry, as the traditional boundaries between energy, semiconductors and software vanish. Data centres are the new power plants; GPUs are the new turbines. China is not merely electrifying its industry; it is electrifying its intelligence.

Beyond strengthening its own clean energy grid, China is exporting the building blocks of the world’s new energy system. Its clean-tech exports — including solar panels, grid batteries and electric vehicles — hit a record $20 billion this past August, overtaking its consumer electronics shipments from a decade earlier. Even if the West exports chips and software, it is China that is producing the electrons that make them useful.

Meanwhile, the West’s energy constraints — ageing grids, slow permitting processes and high prices — are creating digital bottlenecks. In the US and elsewhere, data centre expansion is increasingly limited by access to a reliable supply of electricity. Some jurisdictions — such as Virginia and Dublin — face moratoria on new data centres.

Industrial revolutions have always favoured the societies that could convert energy into productivity most efficiently. In the 19th century, coal was the key to empire. In the 20th, oil was king. And in the 21st, it will be clean power paired with compute. Whoever commands the cheapest electrons will command the cheapest intelligence — and enjoy growing abundance on both fronts.

China is currently positioning itself to occupy this coveted position, thanks to a systemic alignment of investment and incentives that democracies would find difficult to replicate quickly. But it is not the only country that stands to gain from its success. For emerging economies that have long been priced out of high-performance computing, open-weight models and falling energy costs could make AI accessible and even essential, much like electricity or broadband.

But abundance does not guarantee stability. Without sufficient investment in clean energy generation and storage, surging energy demand for AI could strain grids and undermine progress on decarbonisation. Like in the industrial age, efficiency could lead to excess, and progress could be accompanied by growing imbalances. Managing the tension between abundance and restraint will determine whether AI becomes a tool of empowerment or a new driver of inequality.

Two centuries ago, the steam engine converted heat into motion — and remade the global economy. Today, AI is transforming electricity into cognition, and whoever masters both will again rewrite the rules of progress.