Category: The Bangkok Post

Local oil retailer Susco Plc is rebranding its image by turning petrol stations into “Susco Squares”, offering eating and shopping options to motorists.

The company spent 100 million baht renovating a petrol station on Boromratchonnanee Road in the Bang Bamru area of western Bangkok, making it the prototype station in the capital under the Susco Square concept.

“We see a new opportunity to boost revenue while Thailand faces an economic downturn,” said Chairit Simaroj, chairman of Susco’s board of executive directors.

The company wants to diversify from its core business of oil retail over the past 40 years. At a Susco Square, motorists can refill their cars, shop at convenience stores or eat at restaurants, most of which are Michelin-certified, he said.

“Thai consumers aren’t tied to a particular food brand, but the taste must be delicious and popular,” said Mr Chairit.

“Traffic at restaurants must ensure convenience.”

People can also visit specialised clinics for humans and pets at these retail hubs.

To create a Susco Square, the company expands the compound of a filling station, constructing a long, two-storey building with open spaces and a parking lot for 200 cars.

The concept is like a community mall with a filling service, he said.

Before the renovation, Susco leased out part of its filling stations to Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD to build showrooms. There are 11 BYD showrooms inside Susco compounds.

Unlike many other oil retailers in Thailand that have their own coffee brands, Susco does not want to venture into this type of non-oil business, said Mr Chairit.

“We’d prefer other companies open coffee shops at our compounds, no matter the brand,” he said.

The company aims for 7-8% growth in oil sales next year, driven by the development of three more Susco Squares in Phutthabucha in southern Bangkok, Srinakarin in eastern Bangkok, and Don Mueang in northern Bangkok.

Mr Chairit said he expects the company to earn 30 billion baht next year, up from an estimated 20 billion this year.

The 2026 investment budget is set at 400 million baht, with 75% of it funding oil trade and the rest supporting non-oil businesses.

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.

China’s biggest airlines have started offering free Wi-fi to passengers on a growing number of domestic flights, as they vie to win back business travellers who now often prefer to shuttle between cities on high-speed trains.

China Eastern Airlines on Oct 11 launched a free “basic” Wi-fi service on all its widebody aircraft operating on domestic routes, said a company representative who spoke anonymously per company rules.

The planes cover a total of 37 routes serving major Chinese cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Kunming and Wuhan, the representative said.

Air China and China Southern Airlines, two of the company’s main competitors, already provide free Wi-fi on smaller percentages of their domestic flights, the source added.

“We’ve had ‘work from home’, and now a lot of business travellers are changing the phrase to ‘work from the air’,” he said, noting that a test of the free Wi-fi on one plane in August had met with positive customer feedback.

The offer comes as China’s air travel industry faces growing competition from the country’s high-speed rail network, especially in the lucrative business travel market where passengers often prefer the comfort and convenience of bullet trains.

On busy routes such as Beijing-Shanghai, travellers have switched from air to rail in such large numbers that the China Air Transport Association warned in April that its passenger base was being “eroded”.

Air China, China Eastern and China Southern all made losses in the first half of the year, with the companies citing intense competition, supply imbalances and the impact of high-speed rail, domestic media outlet Yicai Global reported.

A lack of on-board Wi-fi has long been a “significant competitive disadvantage” for Chinese airlines relative to bullet trains, said Peng Peng, executive chairman of the Guangdong Society of Reform think tank.

Business travellers on Chinese high-speed trains have benefited from on-board Wi-fi for the past nine years. They can also access 5G data via their phones, except in remote areas.

“Passengers who need to stay connected online are likely to choose high-speed rail,” Peng said. “This includes those investing in financial sectors like the stock market, those maintaining uninterrupted control of businesses, and those who need to hold online meetings or reviews at specific times.”

In China, flights and high-speed train journeys now compare closely in terms of travel times and price. A train ticket from Beijing to Shanghai, for example, costs about 500-600 yuan (2,300-2,700 baht) for a one-way trip, which takes about 4.5 hours.

Max Modesti, an Italian restaurateur based in Shanghai, said he had only taken the train to Beijing over the past 10 years, as it was “more efficient and without stress” compared with catching a plane.

Unlike flights, the trains are rarely late or cancelled, and they drop passengers off near city centres rather than at a far-flung airport, according to Modesti. He could usually get a stable Wi-fi connection on the train, and if it cut out he could simply use 5G, he added.

But Jerry Li, a Shanghai-based venture capital fund manager, said he only got spotty Wi-fi on trains to Beijing and that he preferred to take flights because they kept running later at night than the trains.

China Eastern’s new economy-class Wi-fi service can be accessed without needing to download an app, preregister or sign up for membership, the company representative said. Passengers can use it for email and web browsing, but not for video streaming.

If the roll-out on widebody planes goes smoothly, China Eastern will consider making free Wi-fi available on its narrowbody jets, the source said.

But he said that China Eastern was not expressly competing with China’s fast trains. Some passengers take the train to reach airports such as Hongqiao in Shanghai, where they catch flights, he pointed out.

“High-speed rail’s relationship with airlines is more complex,” the representative said. “They are competing but also cooperating.”

A nasty drama is playing out online over comments by Senator Angkhana Neelapaijit, a former member of the National Human Rights Commission, amid the atmosphere of mutual distrust caused by the border conflict.

Her comments have upset many, particularly the so-called ultra-nationalists who accused her of being unpatriotic — or a Thai national with a Cambodian heart. On the opposite side, human rights groups and some media outlets are rallying behind her, praising the senator as heroic and courageous.

Senator Angkhana spoke out on the conflict on July 23, during the five-day skirmish between Thailand and Cambodia. Recently, unfriendly types in the media and some ultra-nationalists have dug into her social media posts to form narratives against her.

In that context, it might be constructive to look at what she actually said. On July 23, Senator Angkhana posted a comment on Facebook, condemning the laying of landmines in the Chong An Ma area of Ubon Ratchathani province and demanding Cambodia adhere to principle of human rights and peaceful means to resolve any conflict with Thailand. This comment was useful and fair enough.

On July 24, Cambodian missiles and artillery shells landed on Thai civilian spots including hospitals, a convenience store, a petrol station and houses in some northeastern border provinces, killing Thai civilians, including a child, and injuring many others.

Senator Angkhana criticised not the attacks, but the Thai army, for blocking the public’s access to information. It had sought people’s cooperation not to disseminate information which may cause public confusion or exacerbate the situation.

Her comment seemed out of touch with reality on the ground and out of place. Critics asked where she was when Cambodian bombs killed and maimed Thai civilians and destroyed their properties, including a hospital, which are traditionally protected by international laws during wars. How could she have missed this opportunity to issue a strongly-worded statement against Cambodia?

Instead, she chose to comment on a side issue — the army’s blocking the public’s right of access to information. Didn’t she realise that, during a war or armed conflict, information censorship is a widely accepted practice for security reasons?

She kept her silence on the conflict until July 28 when a peace agreement, brokered by Malaysia and witnessed by the US and China, was signed between Thailand and Cambodia in Kuala Lumpur. She posted urging both sides to observe the peace deal, exercise restraint towards provocation and give victims access to humanitarian aid, medication and compensation.

But that belated gesture does not clear the question marks and suspicions that she was selective in commenting on human rights issues. Her stance was interpreted by ultra-patriotic groups as favouring Cambodia.

Fortunately for her, sentiment against her was not strong enough at that time, perhaps, because her comment was not widely shared.

On July 31, she wrote another post, criticising Sappasitthiprasong Hospital for its refusal to accept all Cambodian patients, claiming this was an act of discrimination and against international human rights law. Again, that is a fair and productive comment.

On Aug 1, Senator Angkhana posted a comment defending the Cambodian Defence Ministry’s spokeswoman, Maj-Gen Maly Socheata, who had come under Thai criticism.

The senator claimed she was merely performing her duty, despite her assiduous attempts to spread fake news against Thailand during the conflict.

She also said Maj-Gen Maly, as a woman, should not be degraded or dehumanised through the use of AI technology. Fair enough.

On Aug 8, the human rights activist posted a comment, criticising the Thai army’s appointment of local celebrity, Panadda Wongphudee, for help dealing with Maj-Gen Maly’s fake news campaign, warning this may cause trouble and may contradict the role of the Thai Foreign Ministry.

Later, on Aug 13, she expressed her concerns about a report that a Senate committee had suggested the government cut education funds for Cambodian children studying at schools in Thailand. That concern is justified and praiseworthy given the fact that children are not parties to the conflict and should not be affected.

On Aug 28, she wrote another post, expressing concern over the fate of a 13-year-old Cambodian student detained at a police station, awaiting his deportation to Cambodia. Detaining a boy simply because he is an illegal immigrant is shameful, according to Angkhana, which is a commendable stance on her part.

A key moment came when a reporter asked why she remained silent over Thai civilian casualties, including a child, from Cambodian missile attacks. She was quoted to have said Thailand’s F-16 fighter jets had bombed Cambodia, killing many Cambodian soldiers.

Such a remark by a human rights advocate of her calibre is simply childish. How can civilian casualties be compared to the deaths of soldiers? Military installations and troops who pose a serious threat during wartime are considered a legitimate target while civilians and hospitals are not.

But what touched the nerve of Thai nationalists the most was her recent post, sharing a complaint by Keo Ramy, chairman of the Cambodian Human Rights Commission, to the UNHCR about the Thai use of powerful loudspeakers to blast ghostly sounds and the sounds of aircraft engines towards Cambodian civilians living in Sa Kaeo province.

Influencer Guntouch “Gun Jompalang” Pongpaiboonwet has been broadcasting the sounds from large speakers and sound trucks he set up in the border area, where he has been waging a nationalistic campaign against Cambodia, much to the delight of his fan club.

Senator Angkhana, however, claimed the use of sound as a weapon against Cambodian civilians may constitute a form of psychological torture under the CAT Convention, and Thaland’s image may suffer on the global stage.

She asked why the army let Gun Jompalang broadcast the sounds in such a flashpoint area along border, which is under martial law. Her specific comments against the influencer provoked many commentators to pour scorn on her, calling her unpatriotic. Needless to say, Gun Jompalang joined in, asking where she was when the bombs dropped.

Some organised an online campaign to strip her of her senatorial status. Others suggested she better spend her time looking for her husband Somchai, victim of an enforced disappearance over two decades ago. Unfortunately, her critics did not ask why the army permitted such an ultra-nationalistic campaign from the border area when Thai and Cambodia are trying to make peace talks work.

Such cruel and inhumane criticism is unacceptable and irrelevant to the context. She was subject to a witch hunt, punished for simply expressing a different opinion.

But the drama over the border conflict should, at least, serve as a lesson for Senator Angkhana and her ilk about their roles and narratives. As a human rights activist, she should be more balanced in expressing her views on such sensitive issues.

Regardless of public perception of Senator Angkhana, the hate speeches against her must stop. Any constructive criticism can only come from those with a cool head, an open heart and goodwill.

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.