Category: The Bangkok Post

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).

Police are expediting their review of evidence in a high-profile 40-million-baht bribery case allegedly linked to Digital Economy and Society Minister Chaichanok Chidchob.

The case involves an alleged attempt to delay crackdowns on call centre scams, online fraud and illegal gambling operations. Investigators expect to forward their findings to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) within 30 days.

Investigators have completed taking Mr Chaichanok’s statement, which was consistent with earlier media reports, said Pol Col Manoon Kaewkam, chief of Subdivision 1 of the Crime Suppression Division (CSD).

“We must give our team time to do its work thoroughly before submitting the report to the NACC,” he said.

Earlier, Mr Chaichanok filed a formal complaint with the CSD after disclosing in parliament that someone had offered him 40 million baht to slow down the ministry’s crackdown efforts.

The bribe aimed to secure protection for transnational scam and gambling networks operating from nearby countries, he said. He was reportedly questioned for over six hours.

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.

Authorities temporarily closed two public parks in Muang district of this southern border province after eight bomb explosions on Wednesday night. No casualties were reported.

Seven bombs were apparently placed at an artificial waterfall in Khwan Mueang park and another went off on an islet at Sanam Chang Phueak park between 8.03pm and 10.51pm on Wednesday.

Yala deputy governor Kongsakul Chantharat told the Public Relations Department that the parks must be closed for safety checks after the incidents. They has been designated as venues for traditional ceremonies to mark the end of the Buddhist Lent.

The explosions followed three blasts at a youth centre in Muang district of the province on Tuesday night.

Bomb experts said timed pipe bombs weighing about one kilogramme each were used on Wednesday, like those in the explosions at the youth centre.

The incidents on Wednesday drew senior authorities to the scene. They included deputy national police chief Pol Gen Samran Nuanma and Lt Gen Noratip Poynok, the Fourth Army Area commander.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said he planned to visit the far South to follow up on security measures there this weekend.

Thailand’s Department of Disease Control has sounded the alarm over a sharp rise in influenza cases, which have now surpassed 700,000 nationwide, with 61 deaths reported.

As the country transitions into the cooler season, officials are urging vulnerable groups to get vaccinated immediately to curb further spread.

Dr Taweechai Visanuyothin, director of Disease Control Office 9 in Nakhon Ratchasima, said the situation is becoming increasingly worrisome. Between Jan 1 and Oct 8, a total of 702,238 flu cases were recorded across the country, with an incidence rate of 1,081.83 per 100,000 people. The death toll has reached 61, with most of the fatalities occurring among the elderly and young children.

Children aged 5 to 9 years old are the most affected group, followed by those aged under 4 and from 10 to 14. The highest mortality rates were found among people aged 60 and above, followed by those in the 50-59 and 40-49 age brackets, as well as children under four.

‘The changing weather during the end of the rainy season and the beginning of winter is a key factor,’ Dr Taweechai said. ‘It increases the risk of respiratory infections, especially influenza, which is spreading more easily this year.’

Influenza is transmitted through coughing, sneezing or contact with droplets from an infected person. Common symptoms include high fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, headache, fatigue and muscle aches. The virus can affect people of all ages and often spreads rapidly in crowded environments such as schools, prisons, military camps and workplaces.

To reduce transmission, health officials recommend avoiding crowded places, wearing masks, and washing hands frequently. Vaccination is strongly advised for seven high-risk groups: pregnant women (from four months’ gestation), children aged six months to two years, individuals with chronic conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, and diabetes.

Also included in the high-risk category are people aged 65 and older, those with thalassaemia or weakened immune systems, individuals with obesity, and people with neurological disabilities who cannot care for themselves. These groups are urged to receive an annual flu shot to lower the risk of severe illness and death.

Health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and are working to ensure vaccine access across the country. The public is encouraged to remain vigilant and take preventive measures seriously as flu season intensifies.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has responded to US President Donald Trump’s offer to act as a mediator in peace talks between Thailand and Cambodia, saying that while the gesture reflects goodwill, any negotiations must adhere to previously agreed principles.

Thailand has been the victim of aggression, and any talks must be based on four key conditions, Mr Anutin said on Wednesday. These were the complete withdrawal of all military personnel and weapons from disputed zones, the removal of all intruders from Thai sovereign territory, the clearance of hazardous materials that could endanger civilians, and reaffirmation of respect for Thailand’s sovereignty, he said.

Mr Anutin was speaking after the US news site Politico reported Mr Trump had said he was willing to attend the Asean Summit in Malaysia later this month — on condition that he could preside over the signing of a peace agreement between Thailand and Cambodia. According to Politico, the White House made Mr Trump’s attendance at the Oct 26-28 meeting in Kuala Lumpur contingent on a signing ceremony being held on the sidelines of the summit. The report cited three sources familiar with the matter, who declined to be identified.

The White House also asked that summit organisers exclude Chinese officials from the event, the report said. “Keeping China out would help ensure the spotlight stays on Trump, while downplaying Beijing’s efforts to mediate between Bangkok and Phnom Penh,” Politico said. The White House has since denied that Mr Trump linked his attendance to a desire to sign the peace deal. Reports suggest he is angling for the Nobel Peace Prize.

A source at Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the matter would ultimately be decided by Malaysia, which holds the Asean chair this year. Mr Anutin added: “Thailand is always ready for dialogue once these conditions are fully met. We are neighbours, after all, while the mediator is from another continent. If President Trump can help persuade Cambodia to comply with these terms, that would be welcome — it would ensure Thailand faces no further encroachments.”

When asked about reports that the Cambodian government had nominated Mr Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize to highlight their political ties, he replied: “I only care about what benefits Thailand. If anyone receives a prize, good for them.” Mr Trump has made no secret of his obsession with winning the prize. In recent months, he has claimed credit for ending as many as seven international conflicts. The winner will be announced on Friday.

The Metropolitan Police Bureau (MPB) has arrested a man operating under the online alias “Doctor for All Moods”, who allegedly sold methamphetamine (crystal meth) and offered on-site injection services to clients in hotel rooms. The suspect, Kom-anan “Dr Golf”, 39, was caught in Bangkok following a covert sting operation.

Investigators discovered the suspect marketed his services through social media, targeting LGBTQ+ clients and offering a “double injection” package. Some encounters were secretly filmed and shared online, leading to the circulation of hundreds of explicit videos.

Police conducted a week-long undercover operation, deploying an officer disguised as a potential client.

The arrest took place at a motel in Khlong Tan, followed by a search of a residence in Soi Pridi Banomyong 40, where additional drugs and equipment were found.

Items seized include pre-filled syringes with methamphetamine, 7.2 grammes of crystal meth in sealed bags, eight packs of Viagra (six pills each), packaging materials prepared for drug delivery, and two mobile phones containing 283 explicit videos.

The suspect admitted to previous convictions for theft, facilitating underage prostitution, and drug offences. He admitted to targeting LGBTQ+ clients due to high demand and claimed that combining drug use with sexual activity increased his income. He also acknowledged filming and sharing videos to attract more customers.

A second suspect, Paveena “Na”, 40, denied all charges, claiming she was unaware of the drug activity and had only allowed Mr Kom-anan to stay temporarily. However, police found evidence suggesting her involvement. Both suspects were charged with possession and distribution of a Category 1 narcotic and were transferred to Khlong Tan police for further legal proceedings.

MPB deputy commissioner Pol Maj Gen Teeradet Thamsuthee said Metropolitan Police will intensify efforts to combat drug trafficking via social media, especially those that target the young. “This case highlights the dangers of online drug networks. We are committed to making Bangkok safer,” he said.

The government can revoke the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU 43) signed with Cambodia without a referendum due to serious breaches by the Cambodians, said Panthep Puapongpan, chairman of the Thailand Watch Foundation.

He said such a move could be justified under Section 60 of the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, which permits unilateral termination in the event of a grave violation by one party. He cited recent violent incidents — including alleged Cambodian use of military weapons and explosive devices on Thai soil — as evidence of a grave treaty breach that legitimises immediate action.

Mr Panthep said he opposed the government’s proposal to hold a public vote on the issue, arguing that conducting a referendum alongside a general election would burden the next government and yield non-binding results.

“If the government insists on a referendum, I will campaign to repeal MoU 43 to protect Thailand’s sovereignty and compel Cambodia into fair, modern negotiations,” he said.

Mr Panthep said Thai borders were already defined in the reign of King Rama V using natural watershed lines such as cliff ridges from Chong Bok in Ubon Ratchathani to the Chong Sangam area in Si Sa Ket.

“Thailand and Cambodia coexisted for more than a century without MoUs, but since MoU 43, Cambodia has repeatedly encroached on Thai territory, relying on a 1:200,000 French colonial map that disadvantages Thailand,” he said.

He dismissed concerns that cancelling MoU 43 would allow Cambodia to take Thailand to the International Court of Justice, pointing out that Thailand had withdrawn from the ICJ in 1960. Instead, he proposed using existing mechanisms — the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission, Regional Border Committee, and General Border Committee — for future negotiations.

Mr Panthep also rejected third-party mediation.

Ramayana Water Park in Chon Buri will transform into a world of spooky fun and thrilling adventures, allowing everyone in the family to celebrate Halloween with spectacular shows, exciting activities and magical moments, this month.

All the fun will be presented on three consecutive long weekends. The programme for Saturday to Oct 13 includes an EDM foam party with DJ at Monkey Beach Club, a fire show and a limbo dance at the Double Wave Pool and Halloween workshops for making bags and bracelets.

Adorable mascots will show up for a meet and greet with children on all three days, while delicious Halloween-themed treats and drinks will be available.

The weekends of Oct 23-26 and Oct 31 to Nov 2 will feature a ghost dance show, a Kids Kingdom Game Zone and, of course, a haunted house.

There will also be a Haunted House Mini Challenge offering exclusive Hanuman and Mermaid keychains as prizes, while sweet treats will be given away to kids in the Game Zone.

Ramayana Water Park is located around 20 minutes from South Pattaya and 90 minutes from Bangkok. It is open daily from 11am to 6pm, except Wednesdays.