Category: The Bangkok Post

Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat has launched a campaign to promote free dialysis treatment while emphasising the importance of public education and lifestyle changes to prevent chronic kidney disease (CKD).

The initiative comes amid growing concern over the kidney health crisis.

Mr Pattana said that in 2024, Thailand recorded 1.12 million CKD patients. Among them, around 500,000 were in stage 3; 120,000 in stage 4; and about 75,000 in stage 5 (end-stage kidney failure).

The number continues to rise, with many unaware of their condition until the later stages, as early CKD often shows no symptoms.

Once the disease progresses to 3-5 stages, treatment expenses such as dialysis, peritoneal dialysis or kidney transplantation will be expensive, posing a heavy burden on families and the national healthcare budget, he said.

So, the ministry is advancing a CKD care policy — from prevention and screening to treatment and rehabilitation — to promote equitable access to services nationwide.

Dr Amporn Benjaponpitak, the Health Department’s director-general, said Thais ingest an average of 4,351 milligrammes of sodium per day, more than double the World Health Organization’s recommended limit of 2,000 mg, equal to one teaspoon of salt. Excessive sodium intake, dehydration and overuse of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or diclofenac can accelerate kidney damage.

She added unregulated herbal remedies, physical inactivity and neglecting regular check-ups also heighten CKD risks.

The Department of Health is intensifying screening among at-risk groups and promoting healthier habits — less salt, fewer processed foods, sufficient water intake, regular exercise and annual check-ups. Those with diabetes or hypertension are urged to maintain strict control of blood sugar and blood pressure levels, she said.

Dr Pakorn Tungkasereerak, the department’s deputy director-general and nephrologist, said the ministry is running the “7.2 Million Thais Know Their Kidney Risk” campaign, honouring Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s 72nd birthday in 2027.

People are encouraged to visit hospitals or local health centres for early screening and blood tests for estimated glomerular filtration rate, urine tests for protein leakage and blood pressure and glucose monitoring.

Small lifestyle adjustments can prolong kidney function for years and significantly reduce future dialysis dependency, he said.

The Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC) has unveiled a strategic initiative to revitalise the southern border region by positioning Narathiwat as a destination for cultural and ecological tourism.

The plan seeks to attract Malaysian visitors with experiences that highlight the province’s unique identity, natural beauty and cultural richness, moving beyond traditional shopping-oriented travel.

Natthaphong Suwannarat, deputy secretary-general of the SBPAC, said the economic development strategy for the three southernmost provinces integrates cultural promotion and marketing to create new income sources for communities, small businesses and vulnerable groups.

“This is about creating marketing opportunities and stimulating the economy by giving local products exposure to consumers and tourists,” Mr Natthaphong said. “We want tourism to reflect the region’s culture, ecology and innovation.”

He added that the initiative encourages collaboration among producers, entrepreneurs and tourism operators to showcase local craftsmanship, food, and creative innovations — transforming community potential into long-term growth.

A major promotional event will take place in Sungai Kolok district, a key border town known for its accessibility and trade infrastructure. Activities will include cultural exhibitions, cooking demonstrations, video contests and prize draws aimed at engaging visitors of all ages.

“We expect Sungai Kolok, as a fully equipped border town, to attract Malaysian tourists to shop, travel and learn about product development in Thailand’s southern provinces,” Mr Natthaphong said.

The campaign will also spotlight Narathiwat’s rich diversity — from the pristine Hala-Bala Forest and picturesque beaches to local fishing villages, authentic southern cuisine and spiritual landmarks such as the Quran Museum in Yi-ngo district and Wat Phra Phuttha Ming Mongkol in Muang district.

The initiative reflects a shift from short-term economic events to sustainable, experience-based tourism that links culture, nature and community-driven enterprise, it says. “Beyond economic revival, it’s about building pride in local identity while preserving the environment,” Mr Natthaphong added. “We aim to make Narathiwat a model for sustainable border tourism.”

The discovery was reported by park officer Nattaphon Ritnoi, who found the moth near the park’s popular campsite area.

Park chief Atthapong Pao-on said the species — commonly known as the Moon Moth or Long-tailed Scythe-eyed Moth — is seldom seen in the wild.

The moth, which belongs to the family Saturniidae, has been identified under several closely related scientific names, including Argema maenas, Actias ignescens, Tropaea rosenbergii, and Sonthonnaxia recta. It is found across parts of India, China, Myanmar, Thailand, western Malaysia, and the Sunda Islands of Indonesia (including Java and Sulawesi).

The Moon Moth is notable for its large wings, scythe-shaped eyespots, and long, streamer-like tails extending from its hindwings.

The male has lemon-yellow forewings marked with pale brown to reddish-brown bands, and a coppery, crescent-shaped eyespot near the wing’s centre.

Its body is covered with dense yellowish fur, and its antennae are feathery, resembling tiny ferns. The hindwings mirror the forewings in colour but feature long, flag-like tails, edged with fine hairs near the abdomen.

Females are generally paler in colour, often light yellow, with larger golden or orange kidney-shaped eyespots on their wings. On the underside, the moth shows softer tones of grey and pinkish brown with distinct crosslines.

Due to habitat loss and environmental changes, sightings of the Moon Moth in Kaeng Krachan — part of a Unesco World Heritage site — are rare.

Park officials plan to conduct a detailed population survey to assess its current distribution and conservation status.

Kaeng Krachan National Park, including its scenic Panoen Thung viewpoint, will reopen to visitors on Nov 1, inviting nature lovers to experience the misty mountain views — and perhaps catch a glimpse of this magnificent, elusive moth.

The First Army Region has pledged to act on the initiative of Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Krom Phra Srisavangavadhana by building a “Thai-Cambodian border wall” and accelerating the construction of safety shelters.

The projects are proceeding under the “Hataitip Fund” initiated by the Chulabhorn Foundation.

The move follows an audience granted by the princess on Tuesday to army chief Gen Pana Klaoplodthuk, during which the army reported on projects under the Hataitip Fund to improve the safety of soldiers and civilians living in border areas.

The princess expressed deep concern over the current security conditions and ordered the army to expedite the construction of defensive posts for soldiers and emergency shelters for local residents.

Gen Pana has assigned First Army Region Commander Lt Gen Worayos Lueangsuwan, who also directs the First Army Operations Centre, to conduct field surveys and collect data.

On Wednesday, Lt Gen Worayos inspected border areas in Sa Kaeo alongside Maj Gen Benjaphon Dechatiwong, commander of the Burapha Task Force, provincial officials and local residents to identify suitable and safe construction sites.

Under the initial phase, the Burapha Task Force will construct and improve 72 military bunkers within its operational bases and six civilian shelters capable of accommodating up to 40 people each.

Ten bunkers and two shelters will be prioritised for immediate construction.

The First Army Region reaffirmed its commitment, as the army of the Royal Guards, to uphold the princess’s wish to “prevent and resolve security and safety crises affecting the people and the nation”.

Somporn Phetjit, head of Nong Ya Kaeo village in Khok Sung district, Sa Kaeo, said discussions with the army indicated plans to add five more bunkers to the three in her area.

Each can shelter between 40 and 100 people. “Our district has 254 households and 663 residents. With the new bunkers, all villagers will have a safe refuge if emergencies occur,” she said.

On Tuesday, Gen Anupap Sirimonton, head of the army’s general staff team overseeing the Hataitip Fund project, presented detailed implementation plans to the princess.

The army reported that surveys of the Thai-Cambodian border — under the responsibility of the Suranaree and Burapha task forces — showed an urgent need to build or upgrade 799 protective bunkers (727 under the Suranaree Task Force and 72 under the Burapha Task Force) and 173 civilian shelters (167 and six, respectively).

Officials said significant funding will still be required to complete the construction and ensure long-term safety for both military personnel and border residents. The Hataitip Fund invites contributions from government agencies, the private sector and the general public to promote participation in supporting national security.

Apple’s iPhone Air sold out within minutes of its launch in China on Friday, underscoring the device’s popularity among Chinese consumers despite competition from Android devices.

The strong sales followed CEO Tim Cook’s visit this week to promote the product in the world’s largest smartphone market amid ongoing geopolitical tensions between China and the United States. As chairman of an advisory body at Tsinghua University’s management school, Cook also met Vice-Premier He Lifeng on Thursday.

Pre-sales for the iPhone Air, which supports only e-SIM and received regulatory approval to launch in China just recently, began at 9am local time (8am Thai time) on Friday – more than a month later than most of the world.

Minutes after bookings opened, the model was sold out at all bricks-and-mortar stores in Beijing and Shanghai, as well as in cities like Tianjin, according to Apple’s website. Online shipments were delayed by one to two weeks.

The robust demand reflects the positive reception of Apple’s newest and thinnest model in the Chinese market despite heightened competition from local brands such as Huawei Technologies and Xiaomi, which are striving to expand in the higher-end market in a challenging economy.

The Chinese smartphone market shrank 3% year on year in the third quarter, with Vivo capturing an 18% share to claim the top spot.

Huawei and Apple followed in second and third place with 16% and 15% shares, respectively, trailed by Xiaomi and Oppo.

Cook has emerged as one of the most prominent US business leaders actively engaging with Chinese consumers and government officials. On Thursday, he also met Commerce Minister Wang Wentao to discuss various topics, including bilateral economic and trade relations and Apple’s growth in China.

The CEO expressed Apple’s commitment to strengthening ties with China, contributing to the country’s “high-quality development” and fostering cooperation between the two nations, which he deemed essential for global economic progress, according to a statement from the Commerce Ministry.

Cook said on his personal Weibo account that Apple was collaborating with Beijing’s Anzhen Hospital, renowned for its cardiological research, to explore how Apple Watch users in China could use the device to monitor potential heart issues.

He also announced a donation to Tsinghua University to help “foster the next generation of environmental leaders”.

Singha, an official partner of ONE Championship, has launched the Singha ONE Hit The Ring project, which will offer Muaythai enthusiasts a chance to test their skills and earn a special trip to attend the blockbuster ONE 173 event in Japan.

The project, in collaboration with four Muaythai superstars — Superbon Superbon Training Camp, Rodtang Jitmuangnon, Tawanchai PK Saenchai and Nabil Anane — is open to any individual aged over 18, barring professional boxers, to take part in four skill tests including power rope slam, punch combo, low-mid kicks and spear knees.

A total of 400 qualifiers from 20 gyms nationwide will make it to the final stage, which will be held on Nov 8 at BG Hall in Pathum Thani. Four winners will earn a trip to attend the ONE 173 event at the state-of-the-art Ariake Arena in Tokyo on Nov 16.

The project also offers a prize pool of one million baht.

“Singha has partnered with many world-class sports events. This time we are collaborating with ONE Championship for the Singha ONE Hit The Ring project to give Thai fans a chance to show their skills and an opportunity to attend the ONE 173 event in Japan,” said Voravud Bhirombhakdi, Senior Executive Vice President and Executive Director of Boon Rowd Brewery Co, Ltd.

“Right now, Muaythai has become very popular worldwide. This activity will not only help promote the sport, but will also be a great opportunity for the four winners to attend ONE 173, which is one of the biggest events of the year in Japan and will feature many top boxers,” said Superbon, the ONE featherweight kickboxing world champion.

Bangkok’s fascination with sustainable fashion did not begin on Instagram, even if that is where it now thrives. Its roots stretch back to Bangsue Junction (affectionately dubbed ‘the Red Building’) where, under flickering fluorescent lights, teenagers once sifted through mountains of second-hand jeans, army jackets and faded band tees. Long before ‘upcycling’ became a marketing term, this was where Bangkok’s youth learned to shape their style from what others had left behind.

That instinct for reinvention spread across the city. Union Mall offered a crash course in low-budget creativity, while Rot Fai Market transformed thrifting into a full weekend ritual. Chatuchak’s vintage rows, stacked high with Carhartt workwear and Nike windbreakers, brought the movement mainstream. Even the old night market at Khlong Thom, chaotic and dimly lit, gave Bangkokians the joy of discovery, finding identity in a jacket that cost less than a cab ride home.

Two decades later, the mood has shifted. The scene is no longer dusty or underground but curated, softly lit and carefully branded. Shops such as Use Me Repeat, The Rotation, and Bloc Store present second-hand clothing with the care of a designer showroom, while multi-brand boutiques like BluLagoon and Mix Selected give eco-fashion the quiet elevation of a concept store. A new generation of upcyclers, such as 109C0ddle Angel, has reimagined the aesthetic entirely, blending Thai craft traditions with Y2K nostalgia and turning resourcefulness into refinement.

Even established designers have joined the conversation. Dry Clean Only now reworks vintage fabrics into couture-level statement pieces; Taktai spins bamboo into light, easy silhouettes; and Kanapot Aunsorn uses upcycling to reinterpret Thai textile heritage. Menswear labels like P.MITH and Painkiller Atelier have brought smaller, slower production to tailoring, while names once synonymous with polish (Sretsis and Asava) have cautiously explored ‘green’ capsule collections. What began as a subculture has evolved into a confident, cosmopolitan fashion language – one that feels distinctly Bangkok.

Yet the language itself is changing. Sustainability has become a style as much as a value, a palette of textures and tones that signals awareness even when the habits behind it remain less convincing.

As one Bangkok shopper admitted, ‘Sometimes I tell myself it’s okay to buy more because it’s sustainable. Then I realise it’s still shopping, just with better PR.’ Another confessed with a laugh, ‘Half the fun is the chase. I tell myself I’m saving the planet, but really I just love finding something no one else has.’

Their words capture the quiet contradiction of modern conscious consumption. A closet full of recycled cotton and thrifted denim may look different from a fast-fashion haul, yet it often follows the same rhythm: buy, post, forget, repeat. Sustainability, in the social media era, can feel like a beautiful loop; one that flatters the conscience while feeding the same hunger for novelty that fashion has always thrived on.

Meanwhile, the city’s resale economy has taken on a life of its own. On Instagram, vintage resellers flip windbreakers for prices that once belonged to luxury streetwear; on Facebook Live, clothes whirl past the camera in rapid-fire auctions that feel closer to entertainment than exchange. Shopping, once personal and deliberate, has become performance – an expression of taste, timing, and virtue all at once.

But Bangkok has always had quieter examples of sustainability that predate the trend entirely. In markets and side streets, auntie-run repair stalls patch denim for a fraction of a coffee. At Sampeng, fabric merchants sell offcuts that are transformed into tote bags and napkins. These unglamorous circuits built on thrift, necessity and habit, embody the circular fashion movement more truthfully than any capsule collection ever could.

Still, there is real progress. Dry Clean Only has shown that patchwork can be global. Use Me Repeat and The Rotation make pre-loved clothing aspirational again, while BluLagoon and Mix Selected prove that sustainability and elegance can coexist. The foundation for a slower, more responsible fashion culture is already here – what’s needed now is the patience to nurture it.

Because the real challenge is not ignorance but fatigue: the creeping exhaustion of treating sustainability as another aesthetic to keep up with. The good life in fashion won’t be defined by who thrifted the most denim or owns the latest ‘eco’ capsule, but by who repairs, repeats and re-wears long after the trend has passed. If sustainability becomes just another story to buy, then the green girl’s wardrobe risks being as fleeting as the feed she posts it on.

The Ministry of Public Health has acknowledged that the universal healthcare system is facing a deepening financial crisis, citing mounting losses under the National Health Security Fund.

Public health permanent secretary Dr Somrerk Jungsaman said the universal healthcare system, or Gold Card scheme, is facing financial instability, as public hospitals continue to shoulder losses from providing services under the scheme.

He revealed that while hospitals under the ministry remain solvent overall — thanks to cross-subsidisation from the Civil Servant Medical Benefit Scheme and the Social Security Fund — the Gold Card scheme alone has run at a deficit, with expenditure reaching 110% of revenue, or 18.47 billion baht in 2024.

Meanwhile, hospitals’ liquidity has dropped sharply from 100 billion baht during the Covid-19 period to only 20 billion baht at present.

He said the root cause is the imbalance between service costs and compensation rates. The actual cost per inpatient case has stood at 15,900-16,400 baht since 2021, while the National Health Security Office (NHSO) continues to reimburse only 8,350 baht per case.

“This gap is unsustainable,” he said, noting that rising costs for medication, medical supplies, and personnel have exacerbated the problem.

To address the shortfall, the ministry plans to negotiate with the NHSO to raise the base rate to 13,000 baht, with an initial target of 10,000 baht in the 2027 fiscal year.

In addition, the ministry aims to generate over 86 billion baht annually from non-budgetary sources, including 40 billion baht from tourist health insurance, 16 billion baht from voluntary top-up schemes, and revenue from premium clinics.

Dr Somrerk added that efficiency measures, such as improved cost management, will further strengthen hospital performance and retain skilled medical personnel.

This comes as Mongkutwattana Hospital suspended its “Gold Card” universal healthcare services amid a funding dispute and offered a discount programme for affected patients.

Asian shares slid, Treasuries extended gains and gold hit a new high on Friday as signs of credit stress at US regional banks unnerved investors and had markets baying for more Federal Reserve policy easing.

European stocks looked set for a sharp fall at the open, with EURO STOXX 50 futures down 1% and FTSE futures 1.1% lower. Both S and P 500 futures and Nasdaq futures lost 0.6% ahead of more earnings from US regional banks later in the day.

Overnight, Zions sank 13% after disclosing it would take a $50 million loss in the third quarter on two loans from its California division. Western Alliance’s stock slumped 11% after it initiated a lawsuit alleging fraud by Cantor Group V, LLC.

“While the recent issues of the two lenders seems well contained, where there is smoke there is often fire and the remedy of the 2023 crisis has created a tinderbox for another banking flare-up,” said Tony Sycamore, analyst at IG, referring to a series of bank failures that year which prompted the Fed to take extraordinary steps to stabilise the financial system.

The developments pummelled US banking stocks and weighed on the US dollar to the benefit of the yen and the Swiss franc.

Safe-haven Treasuries rallied further, with two-year yields down 3 basis points on Friday to a fresh three-year low of 3.3890% as investors priced in at least two more quarter-point rate cuts from the Federal Reserve this year.

The flight to safety saw gold hit a record of $4,378.69 per ounce. Bullion is set for a weekly gain of 8.5%, its biggest since September 2008 when the collapse of Lehman Brothers fuelled the global financial crisis.

Silver also hit a new peak.

Sentiment in equities has also taken a hit due to rising trade tensions between China and the United States. China on Thursday accused the US of stoking panic over its rare earth controls, rejecting a White House call to roll back the curbs.

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan dropped 1%, taking the week to negative territory. Japan’s Nikkei lost 1.5% as its banking index tumbled.

Taiwan shares fell 1.1% even after chipmaker TSMC posted a record quarterly profit and issued a rosy forecast for spending on artificial intelligence.

Chinese blue chips dropped 1.5% and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng tumbled 1.8%.

The credit worries and rate cut bets undermined the US dollar, which slipped 0.2% on Friday to 98.10 against its major peers. It was on track for a weekly loss of 0.8%.

The yen and the Swiss franc gained most, up 0.9% and 1.2% for the week.

Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said that the central bank would scrutinise various data in deciding whether or not to raise interest rates this month.

Oil prices extended losses, after falling 1% overnight as US President Donald Trump said he and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to meet in Hungary soon to discuss ending the war in Ukraine.

US crude fell 0.4% to $57.25 a barrel, while Brent was also off 0.3% to $60.87.

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will introduce artificial intelligence (AI) to improve English proficiency among students at BMA schools.

This follows alarming results last year showing that only 3% of students met the A1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The initiative is a collaboration between the BMA, Edsy — an education technology startup — and SVOA Plc. It will introduce Edsy AI Coach, an AI-powered learning assistant designed to support English teachers and students, with over 14,000 Grade 6 students at 136 schools under the BMA’s supervision expected to benefit.

Deputy Bangkok governor Sanon Wangsrangboon said the BMA wants students to have access to high-quality English education. “In a class of 30 or 40 students, usually fewer than 10 have a chance to speak English, often the same students every time, since there is only one teacher,” he said. “We must find a way to allow all students to speak.”

Mr Sanon said students at BMA schools are especially weak at speaking and writing, and while they are expected to reach A1 proficiency in the four core English skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing), only 3% of them met that level last year.

Edsy AI Coach utilises personalised learning to help students practise English individually. Students will get to practise creating English sentences and receive real-time feedback from AI, which will help correct grammar, sentence structure, and pronunciation.

A pilot programme in six BMA schools last year showed marked progress after just two months, with fluency improving by 10%, accuracy by 14%, and pronunciation by 12%.