Category: The Bangkok Post

Mister Donut, Thailand’s favourite donut brand for over 40 years and the nation’s No.1 donut leader under Central Restaurants Group (CRG), is setting a new benchmark in Thailand’s donut industry with the launch of its first Mister Donut New Concept Store on the 3rd floor of Central Pinklao.

Under the theme ‘The New Chapter of Mister Donut,’ the brand makes a bold transformation to present a fresher, more modern image that resonates with today’s lifestyle-driven consumers.

The new concept embodies Mister Donut’s vision to go beyond being just a donut store, evolving into a true lifestyle destination through three key pillars:

Freshly Made Every Day – premium donuts crafted daily for the finest taste and quality.

Japanese Crafted Quality – meticulous attention to detail, from ingredient selection to product design.

Experience-First Store – an immersive space where customers can enjoy the brand’s philosophy, ‘Every Bite, A Japanese Story.’

Exclusively available at this flagship store, customers can indulge in premium-crafted menus that showcase the essence of quality and creativity:

Bomboloni – Mister Donut’s first-ever Italian-style donut, soft and fluffy with a buttery aroma and indulgent fillings.

Premium Pon De Ring – a reinvention of the brand’s iconic favourite, elevated with refined ingredients and artisanal decoration.

White Pon De Ring Matcha – a Japanese-inspired creation combining chewy white pon de ring dough with matcha for a refined flavour balance.

Premium Cake Donut – rich and moist chocolate cake donuts generously topped for a truly satisfying bite.

Premium Yeast Donut – a new recipe offering enhanced softness, fluffy texture, and indulgent toppings while preserving Mister Donut’s signature taste.

Enhancing the experience further is the Pairing Experience, where customers can complement their donuts with exclusive beverages from Arigato, available only at this location. Highlights include the Coconut Slushy with 100% Japanese Matcha and the signature Matcha Latte, both crafted to enhance every indulgent bite.

The launch of the Mister Donut New Concept Store marks not only a refreshed brand image but also the beginning of a new chapter. It reaffirms the brand’s commitment to delivering ‘Little happiness in every bite’ through a modern, premium space and exclusive offerings that elevate the donut experience.

Visit the new Mister Donut Concept Store today at Central Pinklao, 3rd Floor, and follow Mister Donut Thailand on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for updates and promotions.

Severe flooding has submerged 11 districts in Ayutthaya province, affecting more than 46,000 households, with Bang Ban district described as looking like a vast lake.

The flooding followed the Chao Phraya Dam in Chai Nat province maintaining its discharge rate at 2,300 cubic metres per second, sending large volumes of water downstream into the Chao Phraya River and its tributaries. Although water levels in some areas have begun to fall by 5-10 centimetres, many communities remain under water.

The Ayutthaya Provincial Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office reported on Friday that 11 districts – Sena, Phak Hai, Bang Ban, Bang Sai, Bang Pa-in, Tha Rua, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Maha Rat, Bang Pahan, Ban Phraek and Nakhon Luang – have been affected.

A total of 46,273 households have suffered from the floods, which have claimed eight lives in Sena, Bang Ban and Bang Sai districts. Thirty-three schools, two mosques and 38 temples have been submerged, while 58 community roads have become impassable. Around 390 rai of farmland – mostly rice paddies and other crops – have been damaged.

In Bang Ban district alone, floodwaters have covered 101 villages across 16 tambons, affecting 6,425 households. Many homes and communities along the Chao Phraya River and nearby canals remain inundated.

Although the water has started to recede, many areas are still under two to three metres of water. Some homes are flooded to their floors, while others are almost half-submerged.

Local roads have turned into waterways, forcing residents to use boats to travel in and out of their communities. Aerial images show entire communities in Bang Ban resembling a vast lake.

Residents said water levels have started to recede slightly, but they remain anxious as continued rainfall and high-volume discharges from upstream have kept large areas under water.

Foreign data centre operators eager to expand their businesses to Thailand can start buying clean power under the state’s direct power purchase agreement (PPA) scheme in December of this year, says the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

Authorities are keen to launch a pilot direct PPA scheme because it facilitates trade between power companies and their clients, which is a key factor for investors considering development of data centres in Thailand.

Peer-to-peer power trade in the renewables category remains banned in the country, but under a direct PPA, power producers can directly sell electricity to buyers.

Later this month, data centre operators will be given details of the direct PPA, including electricity prices and trade regulations, before the scheme is approved by the Energy Policy Administration Committee next month for a launch in December, said Poonpat Leesombatpiboon, secretary-general of the ERC.

“A public hearing is being held from Oct 3-10, with adjustments expected later for investment issues,” he said.

Participants in the direct PPA must be data centre operators granted investment incentives from the Board of Investment (BoI).

Many investors have applied for the investment privileges. Between 2022 and 2024, up to 27 data centre and cloud services projects were submitted to the board for approval, according to the BoI.

Implementation of the direct PPA scheme, with power generation capacity of 2 gigawatts, will extend beyond the Eastern Economic Corridor, as officials seek locations with adequate renewable energy generation and transmission infrastructure to support the initiative, said Mr Poonpat.

Solar energy will be prioritised for the scheme due to its lower generation costs compared to other renewable sources, said ERC deputy secretary-general Kan Saengruang.

Clean electricity prices under the scheme should not be different from those under direct PPA schemes in Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines, he said.

The Thai government plans to pilot the direct PPA scheme for a few years before expanding it to other industries, including printed circuit boards, electronics, and electric vehicles, all of which need clean energy to run their businesses.

A social media user has accused staff at a prominent Bangkok department store of refusing assistance after they fell and broke a bone on the slippery car park floor.

The individual shared video footage showing water on the floor of the indoor car park at the shopping centre in the Chidlom area. The user claimed the polished floor was dangerously slippery.

According to the user’s account, staff failed to provide aid despite being directly approached for help following the fall. “I asked the staff for help and they walked away, even though my bone was broken at that point,” the user wrote.

In follow-up comments, the user clarified their complaint was not about the slippery conditions but the lack of staff response. They alleged a staff member initially promised to coordinate help but then abandoned them to direct another customer’s vehicle instead.

Other social media users noted that shopping centres typically carry liability insurance for such incidents, with one commenting: “These department stores have insurance. Even if someone trips over uneven flooring, they can make a claim.”

One user familiar with the location confirmed the car park’s polished flooring is notoriously slippery, particularly when wet.

An entire hotel employee residence in Pattaya was awakened early on Friday by the cries of an infant found to have been abandoned on the premises.

Pattaya police and rescue workers were called to the three-storey building in tambon Nong Prue in Bang Lamung district of Chon Buri province around 7.50am on Friday following reports of an infant being left alone. Residents of the building reported hearing disturbing cries in the early hours.

A search party formed by tenants said they were shocked to find a baby boy in a second-floor hallway.

Rescuers have since revealed the child had likely only been born three to four hours prior to being discovered. The infant was found still covered in afterbirth with its umbilical cord not yet severed, lying upon a fertiliser bag and wrapped in a green shirt.

Residents of the building said they did not know of any of their neighbours being pregnant. Police quickly sent the child for care at Pattaya Hospital, noting he was only wrapped in a shirt. An unnamed 56-year-old tenant, who was the first to find the baby, said she began hearing loud cries around 7am and was startled by the sound, as no one in the building was known to have children.

Authorities initially believed the child’s parents did not live in the complex but will review surveillance footage to identify whoever abandoned him and take legal action.

Speculation is mounting that the Pheu Thai Party has approached Varawut Silpa-archa, leader of the Chartthaipattana Party, to serve as one of its prime ministerial candidates, amid reports of efforts by the Shinawatra family to salvage Pheu Thai’s image.

A source in Pheu Thai said former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, seen as the de facto leader of the party, approached Mr Varawut to take the helm and possibly become one of its three prime ministerial candidates. Mr Varawut, who is reported to be away overseas, has yet to respond.

Mr Varawut, whose party holds 10 House seats, is the son of the late former premier Banharn Silpa-arch. He is seen as a rising new-generation politician with a conciliatory image that could help broaden Pheu Thai’s appeal.

The source added that Thaksin, serving a one-year jail term, reportedly offered Mr Varawut the post of foreign minister in exchange for merging Chartthaipattana with Pheu Thai when the Bhumjaithai Party exited the coalition government — a proposal Mr Varawut declined at the time.

Pheu Thai veteran Somsak Thepsutin said on Thursday that Mr Varawut enjoys considerable support. He described him as a young, well-mannered politician, but said it is too early to say whether he will accept the offer.

Pheu Thai secretary-general Sorawong Thienthong said the report caught him off guard and questioned its origin.

He said the matter should first be discussed between the leaders of the two parties.

Thanaporn Sriyakul, director of the Institute of Political and Policy Analysis, said Mr Varawut could be an attractive candidate for Pheu Thai given his calibre and network.

Central Retail Corporation Plc (CRC) is reinforcing its strategy of “Retail and Wholesale for All”, advancing sustainable growth through the “CRC Care 7 Dimension Philosophy”.

This business philosophy comprises: “Care for Governance” by conducting business with transparency and good corporate governance; “Care for the Customer” by placing customers at the heart of every business decision; “Care for Partners” by driving inclusive growth together with business partners; “Care for the Economy” by uplifting the local economy and promoting prosperity nationwide; “Care for the People” by creating a great place to work for all employees; “Care for the Community” by enhancing quality of life and reducing social inequality; and “Care for the Environment” by advancing its “ReNEW” strategy that seeks net-zero emissions by 2050.

Suthisarn Chirathivat, chief executive of CRC, said the company creates meaningful business growth that opens opportunities for every sector to thrive together.

“Retail and wholesale for all is about growth with purpose, not just in numbers, but in impact. We strive to open opportunities for customers, partners and communities to thrive together, while ensuring that our progress creates lasting value for the economy, society and the environment,” he said.

In line with this philosophy, 100% of CRC’s suppliers have signed on to environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices.

The company employs more than 500 people with disabilities and seniors and generates over 814 million baht in sustainable income for local communities.

CRC continues to expand its ESG initiatives through a variety of ongoing projects, such as installing solar rooftop panels at more than 160 shopping malls, buildings and warehouses.

The project replaces up to 16% of total electricity consumption, reducing environmental impact and cutting carbon dioxide emissions by the equivalent of 86,612 tonnes.

Other projects related to reducing power consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and waste generation include the installation of innovative solar LED streetlights at Robinson Lifestyle Mall branches nationwide, as well as the use of efficient refrigerators at GO Wholesale and Central Food Retail, and a project aimed at reducing food waste.

Moreover, CRC has revitalised 5,000 rai of degraded land in Chaiyaphum into a model agroforestry site producing avocados and high-value fruit, generating 41 million baht and welcoming 10,000 visitors annually.

Similar projects in Chiang Mai and Sakon Nakhon foster organic farming, traditional crafts and community tourism, boosting local incomes and preserving cultural heritage.

Marking a new milestone in Thailand’s sporting history, the world-renowned obstacle race festival Spartan Race made its Bangkok debut with the ‘TOA SPARTAN BKK CHALLENGE 2025’ at Parc Paragon. Hosted by TOA Paint (Thailand) Public Company Limited (TOA) as the main sponsor in collaboration with Spartan Race Thailand, the event brought an exhilarating taste of the global competition to the capital with six intense obstacle challenges designed to test strength, agility, and determination.

The event drew overwhelming participation and enthusiasm from competitors, setting the stage for the upcoming full-scale Spartan race in Pattaya later this year.

As Thailand’s leading manufacturer of paints, surface protection materials, and construction chemicals, TOA partnered with Runrio (Thailand) Co., Ltd., the official licence holder of Spartan Race Thailand, to organise the Bangkok edition, the first time in history that the global Spartan festival has been brought from outdoor terrain right into the heart of the city. The event took place at Parc Paragon on 4-5 October 2025.

Mr Jatuphat Tangkaravakoon, CEO of TOA, stated, ‘This collaboration underscores TOA’s long-standing commitment to supporting creative activities and sports that enhance quality of life and promote good health. Spartan Race is one of the most physically and mentally demanding sports, and its spirit of perseverance perfectly reflects the TOA brand, which has stood strong alongside Thai people for 61 years.’

Six simulated Spartan obstacles were constructed according to international standards to challenge participants’ physical and mental endurance:

4-Foot Wall – hurdle over a four-foot barrier

Monkey Bar – navigate hanging bars using upper body strength

Inverted Wall – scale a backward-leaning wall

Rope Climb – ascend a hanging rope to the top

Plate Drag – pull a weighted sandbag across the course

Bucket Carry – transport heavy buckets over a set distance

The two-day event created a vibrant atmosphere of unity and perseverance. For many participants, the true reward went beyond medals or podium finishes, it was about strength, resilience, and self-discovery, embodying the global Spartan spirit that continues to inspire athletes worldwide.

‘The success of bringing Spartan Race to the centre of Bangkok for the first time demonstrates the powerful collaboration between Spartan Race and TOA, along with TOA’s valued partners, Volt sportswear and Siam Paragon, in elevating brand image and creating a new fitness experience,’ Mr Jatuphat added.

This partnership also paves the way for the ‘2025 Pattaya Spartan Trifecta Weekend and HH 24HR Presented by TOA,’ to be held at Wisdom Valley, Pattaya, on 29-30 November 2025, expected to attract over 5,000 participants from Thailand and abroad.

Mr Manatase Annawat, President of the Thailand Privilege Card (TPC), provided an update on the company’s performance and future direction.

‘We currently have over 40,000 members – an increase of 28 per cent from 2023, with record annual revenue reaching 60 billion baht. We see significant potential to attract foreign high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), which will drive business growth and contribute to the expansion of the Thai economy.

‘Our goal is not simply to generate revenue from membership fees, but to play an integral role in stimulating Thailand’s economy through tourism by encouraging spending across related hospitality sectors – from hotels and restaurants to leisure activities and property investment. The Thailand Privilege Card also reinforces Thailand’s position as one of the world’s leading long-stay destinations.’

Bold New Marketing Direction

Mr Manatase outlined TPC’s 2025 marketing strategy:

‘This year we are taking bold steps to position Thailand as the ‘World’s Premier Residency Programme and Privileged Services Provider for Exclusive Individuals’. Alongside the introduction of our first Global Brand Ambassador, ‘Apo’ Nattawin Wattanagitiphat, we have launched a new commercial featuring Apo, who personifies the sophisticated lifestyle enjoyed by card members.

‘The campaign highlights a wide range of exclusive privileges offered by TPC and its business partners, including airport priority lanes and lounge facilities, discounts at five-star hotels and over 1,000 golf courses in Thailand and around the world, and access to leading hospitals and wellness clinics.’

He added, ‘Apo’s international profile as an actor and model, as well as his large fan base in several countries, makes him the perfect choice for this campaign. He will help to build brand awareness by fusing a sense of Thainess with a global standard of luxury.

‘This campaign, themed ‘The Ultimate Luxury’, emphasises how Thailand Privilege Card members can streamline their lifestyle and spend more meaningful moments with family, friends, and loved ones.

‘Our integrated marketing plan targets potential members worldwide through both online and offline channels – including airport advertising, in-flight media on Thai Airways International, mass transport systems, out-of-home media, and LED screens in Thailand and overseas at prime locations such as Times Square in New York, Nanjing Lu Road in Shanghai, and Singapore. This approach will strengthen our visibility in target markets while expanding into emerging markets such as India and the Middle East.’

Membership Privileges

The Thailand Privilege Card offers long-stay visas ranging from five to over twenty years, along with a suite of premium services such as:

Signature Airport Services – including Elite Personal Assistant (EPA), VIP lounge access, and electric cart transfers

Elite Personal Liaison (EPL) – personalised assistance throughout the member’s stay in Thailand

Lifestyle Privileges – special access to health and beauty services, luxury hotels, over 1,000 golf courses in Thailand and overseas, and fine-dining establishments across the country

Membership Tiers

The Thailand Privilege Card offers five membership levels:

BRONZE – 650,000 baht for 5 years

GOLD – 900,000 baht for 5 years + 20 points per year

PLATINUM – 1.5 million baht for 10 years + 35 points per year

DIAMOND – 2.5 million baht for 15 years + 55 points per year

RESERVE – 5 million baht for 20+ years (with optional 5-year extensions) + 120 points per year

This ultra-exclusive membership is reserved for ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) and offers the most comprehensive range of benefits.

Businesses interested in partnership opportunities may contact Vendor Relations at (+66) 2-353-4145 or email vendor_relations@thailandprivilege.co.th. For enquiries regarding General Sales and Service Agent opportunities, please call (+66) 2-353-4120 or email salesgroup@thailandprivilege.co.th.

The Ministry of Finance insists all of the new nominees for the board of directors of Thai Airways International are professionals.

According to Lavaron Sangsnit, the ministry’s permanent secretary, 17 people have been nominated as potential new directors of THAI, not including nominees from shareholders who hold at least 5%, who are entitled to propose candidates for consideration by the selection committee.

The selection committee is expected to choose eight qualified candidates by Oct 19: four to replace directors whose terms have ended, and four new ones. These names are to be submitted for approval by the THAI board, which is scheduled to meet on Oct 23.

The board will then propose the list to the shareholders’ meeting for final approval, slated for December.

‘Thai Airways must have a professional board of directors, and we affirm that all the nominees we have proposed are top-tier and highly professional,’ Mr Lavaron said on Friday.

In his capacity as chairman of the board, he said he guarantees all processes are conducted with transparency, and there is no intention to return the airline to a state enterprise, nor will it be managed as one, but rather as a listed company.

Shares of Thai Airways resumed trading on the Stock Exchange of Thailand in August after a four-year business rehabilitation period. The Ministry of Finance is still the major shareholder, with 38.9% of the company’s shares, down from 47.9% in December 2024, according to SET records.

THAI lost its state enterprise status during the rehabilitation period when the total shareholding of the ministry and other state entities fell below 51%. The change was sought by creditors and shareholders as a way to reduce the bureaucratic inefficiency and political interference that used to plague the carrier.

Banyong Pongpanich, a former THAI board member, recently called on the government to sell all its shares in the airline, arguing that it would be the best way to ensure business efficiency.

Mr Lavaron maintains that the current board is working in the best interests of the business, its shareholders and customers.

‘The board members are true professionals who work for the genuine benefit of Thai Airways,’ he said. ‘Of course, during board meetings not everyone will agree on every issue, but all are professionals. What is discussed in the boardroom should not be disclosed outside.

‘As long as I remain chairman, there will be no corruption – everything must be transparent in every aspect.’

Bigger board

Mr Lavaron also explained the necessity of increasing the number of board members to 15.

‘There are 11 directors, which creates some operational limitations. Certain committees cannot be established because the board is incomplete. For example, the risk management committee is essential, but it cannot be formed at present,’ he said.

‘Only two committees exist: audit as well as nomination and remuneration, as required by the stock exchange regulations.

‘Under Thai Airways’ rules, all audit committee members must be independent directors. As three independent directors already serve on the audit committee, they cannot serve on any other, reducing the total by three. Another three are assigned to the nomination committee, making six in total that are ineligible for other committees.

‘The chairman should not serve on any committee, leaving seven. This leaves only four directors available, which makes it impossible to form the risk management committee. This is why it’s necessary to increase the number of board members to 15.’