Category: The Bangkok Post

In an era where digital technology and AI are transforming every industry, True Corporation, as Thailand’s leading tech company, shared its vision for driving the nation toward a sustainable digital future, advancing the telecom industry’s growth while creating lasting value for both businesses and society. This vision was presented at the NBTC Symposium 2025 at Dusit Thani Bangkok Hotel, organised by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) as a platform for exchanging insights and experiences on key challenges in the digital technology sector. The symposium brought together industry leaders to explore emerging trends, cross-sector collaborations, and new opportunities for business and service innovation, all to strengthen the nation’s digital infrastructure and foster sustainable economic growth.

True Ready to Unlock New Chances from AI, Supporting the Shift from ‘Rules’ to ‘Opportunities’

Mr Chakkrit Urairat, Chief Regulatory and Government Relations Officer of True Corporation Plc, stated: ‘Today, we have entered the era of Artificial Intelligence in full force. Digital transformation is no longer optional. It is a necessity for survival. AI is not just another new technology; it represents a major paradigm shift and a key indicator of a nation’s competitiveness. As Thailand’s leading telecom-tech company, True Corporation recognises the importance of establishing a strong AI foundation to open doors to new opportunities, empower the country to stay ahead, and use AI to create real value for society. Our mission is to ensure that everyone can access and utilise AI equally and easily, just like using a calculator to enhance efficiency in work and daily life. At the same time, True is committed to promoting AI literacy among Thais and advancing the responsible and ethical use of AI in accordance with international standards because trust is the most essential foundation of all.’

‘Collaboration across all sectors is a key mechanism in building a digital ecosystem with global competitiveness. When we think of a whistle, many might picture a referee ensuring fair play in a competition. But from another perspective, a whistle can also represent the cheers and encouragement from the supporters, the energy that uplifts the players on the field. Therefore, the whistle symbolises two essential roles: regulation and support, much like the dual role of government agencies that not only establish a balanced regulatory framework but also drive and empower Thailand’s growth in an economy powered by technology and AI. The future is not something we wait for. It is something we build together. And True Corporation is ready to play its part to ensure Thailand becomes a true Technology Opportunity Creator,’ added Mr Chakkrit.

True’s Journey to Net Zero, Leveraging the Power of AI to Enhance Network Efficiency and Energy Use

Meanwhile, Mr Navneet Nayan, Head of Network Strategy of True Corporation Plc, shared his insights on the topic ‘Transforming Telecom for Sustainability: The Role of Mobile Operators in Driving Green Technology and an Eco-Friendly Future.’ He stated: ‘True Corporation places strong emphasis on sustainability from a stakeholder perspective. According to our materiality assessment, the very high-priority issues

include network management and climate change and environmental impact. True has set clear targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 and 2) by 21% by 2025 and by 42% by 2030, compared with the 2020 baseline, as we continue to progress toward our ultimate goal of achieving Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.’

‘One of the key enablers to achieve this goal is enhancing network efficiency through the full application of digital innovation and technology including AI and Machine Learning for intelligent energy management and smart controllers, as well as increasing the share of clean energy by installing solar panels at base stations. These efforts have enabled True to reduce energy consumption across network sites by up to 20%, upgrade and integrate more than 17,000 base stations, and modernise 100% of its data centres. This reflects True’s strong commitment to conducting business with a foundation in sustainability, particularly in the environmental dimension and climate impact reduction to create a sustainable world together,’ Mr Navneet concluded.

The cryptocurrency market in October is on a bullish footing, with both Bitcoin and altcoins showing strong potential to extend gains, thanks partly to the expected monetary policy easing in the US, says digital asset fund manager Merkle Capital.

According to Woramet Chansen, investment advisor at Merkle, other key factors that could drive prices higher this month in addition to a Federal Reserve interest rate cut are supportive seasonality and renewed strength in altcoin markets.

The market widely expects the Federal Open Market Committee to trim the rate by a quarter-point to a range of 3.75% to 4% when it meets on Oct 28-29.

On Sept 17, the US central bank lowered its benchmark rate by 25 basis points and released a dovish dot plot, signalling more cuts ahead. Markets are now pricing in as many as four additional reductions through 2026, with most policymakers projecting a long-term terminal rate between 3% and 3.25% by late 2027.

Sustained lower borrowing costs are expected to inject liquidity into global markets, channelling capital towards risk assets such as cryptocurrencies, said Mr Woramet.

The second factor is seasonality, he said, noting Bitcoin rose more than 5% last month, only the fifth time since 2013 that September closed in positive territory.

Historical trends show that when September posts gains, October follows with further upside in six out of seven instances, he said. Moreover, Bitcoin has delivered positive returns in October 10 out of the past 12 years.

With the Fed pivoting towards a more accommodative policy, this seasonal tailwind adds conviction to bullish forecasts, said Mr Woramet.

The third driver is the broader market, as total crypto market capitalisation reached a record high in August, largely fuelled by institutional adoption of Bitcoin, according to Merkle.

More strikingly, altcoins excluding Bitcoin are retesting peak levels not seen in four years. In the previous cycle, once the altcoin market cap broke above its 2017 high, it surged more than 250% during 2021.

“Analysts believe a similar breakout this October could set the stage for a broad-based rally into the fourth quarter and potentially into 2026,” he said.

Merkle expects Bitcoin to test US$75,000-80,000 by year-end if momentum holds, while Ethereum could climb towards $4,000-4,200. Altcoins within the Ethereum ecosystem, as well as Web3-related tokens, are seen as potential outperformers, noted the asset manager.

“October could prove to be a defining month for digital assets,” Mr Woramet said. “Long-term investors may consider gradually increasing exposure to cryptocurrencies as global liquidity conditions, historical patterns and market structure all align for another bull cycle.”

Recent geopolitical developments have underscored the fragility of global supply chains, reminding businesses in constantly evolving sectors like consumer goods and fashion that the strength of supplier relationships is one of the few persistent sources of resilience. Maintaining such relationships through responsible purchasing is not only ethical but strategically necessary.

The fashion industry is one of many that is feeling the weight of tariffs — disruptions that come at a time when it is struggling to make progress toward previously stated climate and sustainability goals. According to a 2025 benchmarking survey by the US Fashion Industry Association, 100% of 25 leading apparel brands and retailers identified the current administration’s protectionist stance and volatile trade relationships as a top challenge, and more than half flagged policy uncertainty, especially retaliatory tariffs, as their primary concern.

Rather than responding with short-term cost-cutting, though, major consumer-goods companies are making strategic investments to build resilience. For example, retailers like Walmart and Target have front-loaded inventory to absorb tariff shocks ahead of the holiday season, and Apple chartered cargo flights to transport 1.5 million iPhones from India, an option made possible by increasing production with a key supplier.

These are not just logistical moves; they are evidence of why trust-based, responsive supply-chain relationships matter. Responsible purchasing practices are the glue that holds supply chains together in uncertain times. Gartner reports that nearly half of large enterprises have renegotiated supplier contracts or shifted sourcing strategies to manage risks associated with the tariffs. Such trends reflect a growing consensus: resilient, transparent, and values-aligned supply chains are key to avoiding major disruptions and maintaining competitiveness.

Unfortunately, the fashion sector is a laggard in this regard, scoring just 66 out of 100 in Cascale’s Better Buying 2025 Garment Industry Scorecard, with year-on-year declines in key areas of responsible purchasing, including cost negotiation, payment terms, and product development.

The trend is also concerning for its climate implications. The fashion industry, with its complex global supply chains, is particularly vulnerable to such ripple effects. The US tariffs that went into effect on Aug 7 directly affect sourcing hubs with an outsized influence on the industry’s carbon footprint. Cascale finds that just 1,800 factories in nine countries account for over 80% of measured carbon emissions from the apparel, textile, and footwear industries. Of these, six countries — China, Bangladesh, Vietnam, India, Turkey, and Pakistan — have been directly affected by the new tariffs.

Shifting sourcing away from these hubs might avoid short-term tariff costs. But it could also disrupt ongoing efforts to reduce emissions from these major sources.

We saw this in 2018, when tariffs against China drove a production surge in Vietnam. Since it typically takes an average of 14 months for brands to add new suppliers, such rapid shifts cause a ripple effect: labour violations, longer lead times, and quality issues. Without coordinated planning, they risk undermining climate goals and working conditions alike.

Though fashion is a $3 trillion (97.8 trillion baht) industry, it is expected to have only a minimal formal presence at this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30). COP30 will focus more on adaptation finance, carbon pricing, and nature-based strategies than on redrawing trade or sourcing lines.

In short, COP30 will not offer any direct relief on tariffs, but it could shape the long-term rules of the game, linking sustainability targets, sourcing practices, and competitiveness factors through policy levers that lie beyond the fashion industry’s immediate control.

As trade-related costs persist, industry leaders must shift their mindset. Their businesses’ resilience will not come from diplomacy or a presidential handshake, but from trust-based relationships, fair purchasing practices, and innovations to drive sustainability.

Companies that default to price-driven strategies risk eroding their ability to deliver quality, speed, and innovation to today’s conscientious consumer.

At a time when tariffs and climate-related shifts can alter sourcing strategies overnight, resilient partnerships are more than operational tools. They are strategic differentiators, signalling accountability, stability, and ethical leadership to a growing list of stakeholders who are thinking about the long term.

‘He promised me a high salary and a bonus from the captain every time the ship docks.’

In 2013, Rizky Oktaviana was recruited to work on a Taiwanese fishing vessel in Cape Town with promises of high pay that would improve his quality of life. Instead, he endured 22-hour working shifts, verbal abuse, and unsafe conditions. He and his crewmates were forced to work, even if they were ill, or the weather was dangerous. When the ship was detained for suspected illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, Rizky and 73 other Indonesians were abandoned in Cape Town, detained without any legal representation, and left uncompensated after repatriation.

With the support from the Union of Indonesian Migrant Workers (SBMI), IOM, and International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) Cape Town, Rizky was released and later joined SBMI as a paralegal, eventually becoming the Coordinator of the Maritime Department. His journey embodies the resilience of fisher-led advocacy: despite systemic exploitation, fishers like Rizky have transformed personal hardship into collective leadership. In 2017, Rizky succeeded in advocating the inclusion of migrant fishers as migrant workers in Indonesian law.

In September, Rizky shared his experience at two panels during the regional UN Responsible Business and Human Rights (UN RBHR) Forum in Bangkok. The panels were co-organised by Greenpeace Southeast Asia, SBMI, Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), Better Engagement Between East and Southeast Asia (BEBESEA), Human Rights Working Group, Human Rights Now (HRN), Indonesian Ocean Justice Initiatives (IOJI), and others.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND HUMAN EXPLOITATION AT SEA

Rizky’s ordeal is not an isolated tragedy but a mirror of the systemic link between forced labour and IUU fishing. Both thrive under secrecy, weak enforcement, and the global seafood industry’s race to the bottom. Vessels that flout conservation rules are often the same ones that cut corners on labour rights. Overfishing drives boats further offshore for longer periods, making isolation at sea a tool to silence migrant fishers. Illegal transshipments not only enable unreported catches but also extend forced labour conditions, trapping workers for months or even years without reprieve.

The symbiotic relationship of overfishing and labour exploitation within the seafood industrial complex feeds on abuse and sustains environmental destruction. The concentrated power of US and EU brands also benefit from obscure traceability and cheap supply. The result is a system that extracts maximum value from the sea while treating fishers as disposable. As oceans get warmer and fish populations migrate or decline, vessels push further into remote waters. At the same time, climate-driven migration increases the pool of people seeking work and a better life. Environmental degradation and labour exploitation are locked in a feedback loop, with climate stress accelerating both.

This raises two urgent questions: what role and commitment can the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) bring to enhance the regional protection of migrant fishers, and what concrete commitments can businesses make to respect their human rights? When Asean leaders adopted the Asean Community Vision 2045, they pledged to combat IUU fishing. Yet, two years later, Southeast Asia remains a site of both ecological plunder and human suffering.

THE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD IS SLAVERY FREE

Back to the recent UN event, Greenpeace Southeast Asia and allies asked Asean to move from promises to enforceable action. Asean has been called on to deliver on three urgent fronts: a stronger regional enforcement against IUU fishing, an integration of migrant fishers’ rights to environmental governance, and a recognition that sustainable oceans demand rights-based protection from businesses.

We believe that the way forward is to confront IUU fishing as both an environmental and a human rights issue. That means mandatory tracking of vessels, banning transshipments at sea, and ensuring transparency of fisheries data. Retailers and global seafood buyers have a critical role to play: they must refuse to profit from IUU fishing practices sustained by slavery at sea. Slavery-free and sustainable seafood should not be a niche demand but the baseline expectation.

Together with an alliance of civil society organisations, labour unions, and business stakeholders, Greenpeace Southeast Asia co-drafted and signed a Joint CSOs and Multistakeholders Statement. It highlights the Asia-Pacific fishing industry’s systemic challenges: gender-blind policies, persistent gaps between obligations and protections, and the urgent need to embed human and environmental rights in development goals. Asean’s upcoming declarations on the Right to Development and on the Right to a Safe, Clean, Healthy, and Sustainable Environment will ring hollow if enforceable standards (like ratifying the ILO Work in Fishing Convention [C-188] to strengthen regional fisheries management) remain unchecked.

This week, the general public breathed a sigh of relief after the Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR) expressed confidence that there is no risk of future rounds of flooding reaching 2011 levels. That epic event has gone down as perhaps the worst floods the nation has faced in modern times.

But for communities that live in designated flood catchment sites in the Lower Central region, all flood seasons are equally miserable.

Low-terrain floods, mostly located in Ayutthaya and some districts in Suphan Buri, have been designated by the government as “flood retention areas”. Flood water from the Upper and Central regions will be diverted and stored before heading to the sea or separated reservoirs.

It is common for the ground floors of people’s homes in these areas to be engulfed by water, forcing them to commute by boat. Residents are often evacuated to live in makeshift tents at community centres or by roadsides in the event of flash floods.

Having to deal with massive floods every year means many villagers have been living in stressful conditions. They are entitled to receive compensation starting from 9,000 baht per house, with additional reparations for those who suffer from flooded farmland.

There have also been reports of accidents occurring during flood evacuations. Four villagers in Bang Ban district in Ayutthaya province drowned recently, including children.

On Sept 23, a 43-year-old man hanged himself in his flooded home in Bang Ban district. While police have yet to determine his motive, family members say he had been overwrought after losing his job and all income due to the flooding.

The question is whether successive governments have done enough to provide welfare and upgrade infrastructure for these affected communities.

This issue was raised in parliament earlier this month after the death of the aforementioned man, and complaints from villagers about late compensation payments and inadequate flood rescue measures.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and his interior minister made a timely move by announcing a plan to improve compensation and welfare for villagers in these designated flood catchment areas.

We can but hope this is not just lip service. Various governments have promised to provide help to flooded communities. Yet all they have been given are relief bags and compensation money, the latter often not disbursed until after the flood waters have receded.

There have been discussions of more systematic forms of welfare and social safety nets for villagers living in designated flood catchment areas.

The proposed ideas include allocating more of taxpayers’ money to improve infrastructure, education and a special programme to provide jobs. Instead of just diverting water to existing flood-retention sites, conservationists have urged the government to preserve and create natural wetland basins in flood-prone communities.

This week, the People’s Party proposed ways of managing these designated flood-retention zones. One involves creating a fund for owners to improve their homes so they can better contend with flood risks.

The government must pay heed to all of these suggestions and advice. Instead of focusing on draining the water, more attention must be given to creating natural flood plains across the country, instead of letting communities shoulder the burden.

Virtual banks are 10 times more likely to reach untapped retail customers than traditional banks, improving the country’s rate of financial inclusion, say new industry players.

According to Tanyapong Thamavaranukupt, co-president of Ascend Money, the planned virtual banks are expected to serve 7-19 million individuals, compared with 2-3 million served by existing traditional banks.

As a result, the virtual banking business should enhance financial inclusion in line with the Bank of Thailand’s requirements, he said at the “Virtual Bank: Game Changer for Financial Thailand” seminar yesterday.

However, Ascend Money’s virtual bank will offer lower lines of credit than traditional banks, likely between 3,000-5,000 baht per individual customer, compared with the 70,000-100,000 baht typically offered by traditional banks, he said.

On June 19, the central bank announced the three successful applicants to establish the country’s first batch of virtual banks.

They are required to commence their business operations within one year of the date of the Finance Ministry’s approval, which was granted on June 19.

The winners are ACM Holding Co (TrueMoney), backed by the Charoen Pokphand Group; Krungthai Bank (KTB), collaborating with Advanced Info Service Plc and PTT Oil and Retail Business Plc (OR); and the SCB X consortium, comprising SCB X (the holding company of Siam Commercial Bank), KakaoBank (South Korea’s largest digital bank), and WeBank (a global digital bank known for its advanced technology).

Ascend Money operates an e-money business under the TrueMoney brand. Leveraging technology, especially artificial intelligence and machine learning, TrueMoney employs only eight loan analysts to process roughly 8 million loan applications annually, compared with around 500 analysts employed by traditional banks.

“For retail loan analysis, TrueMoney relies on humans for only about 1% of applications, while 99% is handled using technology and alternative data. Our virtual bank will similarly leverage technology to keep operational costs much lower than those of traditional banks,” said Mr Tanyapong.

Punnamas Vichitkulwongs, chief digital platform business officer at SCB X, said risk control is a critical factor for virtual banks to survive and sustain business growth.

Fraud risk in particular would be carefully managed in alignment with digital banking services, he noted.

SCB X’s virtual bank will monitor operational, market and credit risk, resembling traditional banking practices, said Mr Punnamas.

Focusing on unserved and underserved customer segments, as required by the regulator, presents a credit risk based on the lower income levels of this market, he said.

Rising household debt is a problem in Thailand, weighing on the country’s economic growth. Around 40% of households rely on informal loans, with an average debt of 54,000 baht per household.

Under the modernised business model of virtual banks, new entrants are expected to offer financial products and services at lower cost, using a risk-based pricing model.

“For example, we can provide accident insurance for food delivery or motorcycle taxi drivers at a premium of just 10 baht per day. This makes the service accessible, compared with existing premiums of 3,000 baht a month, while a rider’s monthly income is around 7,000-8,000 baht,” said Mr Punnamas.

The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) plans to refer a bribery case involving Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Chaichanok Chidchob and call-centre scam networks to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) next week, CIB commissioner Pol Lt Gen Natthasak Chaowanasai said on Thursday.

The case stems from Mr Chaichanok’s police complaint on Oct 6, where he alleged that a group had offered him 40 million baht to halt crackdowns on call-centre gangs and illegal online gambling networks. Pol Lt Gen Natthasak said investigators had now taken the minister’s statement and were determining whether the case fell under police or NACC jurisdiction.

Preliminary findings indicated the matter likely qualified under the anti-corruption law, he added.

The CIB chief confirmed the Bureau of Investigation is reviewing the evidence before forwarding the case to the NACC, stressing that the inquiry will proceed transparently and in accordance with the law.

Meanwhile, in parliament, Pheu Thai MP Siam Hathasongkorh, who chairs the House committee on telecommunications and digital affairs, said the panel believed Mr Chaichanok’s claims were credible.

The committee had invited the minister on Thursday to clarify who had made the bribe offer, but he was unable to attend due to urgent commitments and sent a representative in his place.

Mr Siam said the committee would summon Mr Chaichanok again, adding that coordination among relevant agencies was crucial to curb the resurgence of call-centre scams following the recent change of government. He stressed the need for accountability and vowed to pursue the case if progress stalled, calling it a matter of public trust and national security.

Fabricio Andrade will finally make his long-awaited return to ONE Championship when he defends his bantamweight MMA world title against Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu at ONE Fight Night 38 in Bangkok.

The December 7 event at Lumpinee Stadium marks the Brazilian’s second title defence – and his first fight in nearly 11 months.

Andrade, 27, last competed at ONE 170 inside Bangkok’s Impact Arena in January, when he stopped South Korea’s Kwon Won Il in just 42 seconds. That blistering TKO extended his record to 10-2 (1 NC) and reaffirmed his reputation as one of the most dangerous strikers in MMA.

But after another extended lay-off, the ‘Wonder Boy’ now faces a new challenge in Mongolia’s ‘Tormentor’, who has quietly put together a three-fight win streak to earn his first title shot.

The 36-year-old veteran has impressed with his relentless pace and durability, posting wins over Carlo Bumina-Ang, Aaron Canarte and Jeremy Pacatiw. His wrestling-heavy style has made him one of the division’s most underrated threats – and now, he steps into the biggest opportunity of his career.

Andrade, for his part, sent a simple message to fans on social media after the announcement: ‘#AndStill.’

The Brazilian champion has stayed patient despite inactivity in the bantamweight division, having waited nearly two years between his title-clinching win over John Lineker in February 2023 and his January defence.

He’ll aim to make a statement in December, and potentially set up a blockbuster 2026 campaign with fresh challengers such as Stephen Loman waiting in the wings.

The ONE Fight Night 38 card will also feature another world title bout.

Brazil’s Diogo ‘Baby Shark’ Reis, one of jiu-jitsu’s most exciting young stars, will meet Japan’s Daiki Yonekura for the vacant ONE flyweight submission grappling world championship.

Reis, a black belt under Melqui Galvao who made his ONE debut in March with a submission of Shoya Ishiguro via rolling kimura, now looks to cement himself as the new face of ONE’s flyweight division following the departure of former champ Mikey Musumeci.

Yonekura, 24, will make his ONE Championship debut, having earned acclaim in the Asian grappling scene for his aggressive, submission-first style.

The return of the legendary Liam Harrison was also confirmed for the event on Thursday. ‘The Hitman’ will face Japan’s Shinji Suzuki in a bantamweight kickboxing bout.

Artists have repaired a mural that was recently defaced with graffiti on Charoen Krung 30 Road in Bang Rak district of Bangkok.

Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt updated the public on the repairs in a Facebook Live video on Wednesday night. The French ambassador to Bangkok, Jean-Claude Poimboeuf, was also present to observe the restoration.

Three Thai artists from Chiang Mai joined Carolina Adán Caro, the Spanish artist who created the mural on a wall on the historical inner Bangkok road last month, according to the Bangkok governor.

The French embassy in Bangkok sponsored the murals on 15 walls in the locality. It was part of the ‘Krungthep Creative Streets’ project, a collaboration with 15 international artists to transform walls along Charoen Krung Road with permission from the property owners.

The original mural, completed on Sept 17, took Ms Adán Caro 10 days to paint.

CCTV footage captured three vandals destroying the artwork in minutes by spraying over it on Sept 27. The Bangkok governor said two of them were arrested and the other one remained at large.

He also said that City Hall was preparing more walls specifically for graffiti and street art. He encouraged interested people to use such walls instead of vandalising others.

Some 2,457 hotels across the globe were recognised for their hospitality, out of more than 7,000 hotels. The most outstanding ones are awarded One, Two, or Three Michelin Keys.

Sixty-two hotels in Thailand have been awarded Michelin Keys in 2025, including six Three Keys, 21 Two Keys and 35 One Key. Among the Thai hotels awarded are:

Three Michelin Keys

The Siam, Bangkok.

Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Krabi.

Two Michelin Keys

New: Aman Nai Lert Bangkok.

Sala Samui Choengmon Beach, Koh Samui.

One Michelin Key

New: Dusit Thani Bangkok.

137 Pillars House, Chiang Mai.

In addition to the Keys, The Michelin Guide presented four special awards, recognising hotels for achievements that transcend traditional categories and celebrating excellence and uniqueness in specific areas of hospitality.

Michelin Architecture And Design Award: Atlantis The Royal (Dubai, UAE).

Michelin Wellness Award: Brgenstock Resort Switzerland.

Michelin Local Gateway Award: La Fiermontina Ocean (Larache, Morocco).

Michelin Opening of the Year Award: The Burman Hotel (Tallinn, Estonia).