Category: The Bangkok Post

Former deputy national police chief Pol Gen Surachate Hakparn, also known as “Big Joke”, has filed a criminal defamation lawsuit against national police chief Pol Gen Kittharath Punpetch over allegations of links to a Chulalongkorn University law exam scandal.

The lawsuit, submitted on Wednesday at the Songkhla Administrative Court, cites the publication of misleading information implying Pol Gen Surachate’s involvement in the theft of exam papers, which he claims has harmed his reputation and honour.

The controversy dates back to March this year, when cyber police arrested figures connected to the Betflik online gambling network, ultimately uncovering communications among officers about removing exam papers from Chulalongkorn’s evening law programme.

Kanittha Lertbanjerdwong, also known as Dr Nid, was identified as a key intermediary who claimed to act as Pol Gen Surachate’s personal secretary. According to the investigation team, evidence indicates she delivered stolen exam papers to Pol Gen Surachate’s legal team for completion before returning them to examination authorities. Pol Gen Surachate maintains he never personally handled the papers.

Investigators from the Technology Crime Suppression Division 1 subsequently gathered sufficient evidence to issue warrants for three suspects, including Ms Kanittha, who was arrested in April. The police also revealed that a mobile phone of Pol Lt Col Karit Pariyaket, a close aide of Pol Gen Surachate, contained Line chats detailing the division of roles in the exam fraud. Some messages mentioned Pol Gen Surachate, while three other officers were involved in preparing and returning exams. Financial transactions tied to Pol Lt Col Karit and others were also identified.

Pol Gen Surachate stated that he has never been involved in any way and has never been formally charged in the case, yet his name has continued to be repeatedly implicated.

“I have filed criminal defamation charges against the national police chief because false information has been published linking me to the exam scandal,” he said. “Although my name was not mentioned directly, the reports clearly implied my involvement, damaging my reputation and honour. I must use the law to protect myself.”

A police disciplinary committee fired Pol Gen Surachate in March over his alleged involvement in an online gambling network.

Exo all-rounder Doh Kyung-soo, better known as D.O., is scheduled to perform for Thai fans at his solo concert “2025 Doh Kyung-soo Asia Concert Tour “. Organised by GMM Show, the concert will take place at Impact Arena on Oct 11.

D.O.’s Asia concert tour is being held after he dropped his first full-length solo album Bliss in June. The album features the lead single Sing Along! — a fresh new vibe showcasing his versatility — which he co-wrote with well-known composer Zico. In September, D.O. released a track with pop-rock influence titled Dumb in which he collaborated with rapper Penomeco. Bliss offers various genres including ballad, rap, pop, bossa nova and chill lo-fi.

In addition to songs from Bliss, fans can enjoy songs from his other mini albums such as Popcorn and Simple Joys from Blossom, I’m Gonna Love You and It’s Love from Empathy, as well as Exo’s medley including First Snow, Don’t Go, Growl and Love Me Right.

The organiser GMM Show claims that Thai fans can expect an unforgettable night since the venue will feature a perfect stage setup so that fans can clearly see D.O. and soak in every second of the concert magic. The production will include amazing lights, sound and effects.

Tickets cost 2,900, 3,900, 4,900, 5,500, 6,000 and 6,500 baht and can be purchased at allticket.com and at Counter Service at all 7-Eleven branches in Thailand. A credit card installation plan is also available.

The rivalry between the United States and China has become the defining contest of the 21st century. Barely two decades ago, Washington and Beijing were partners in prosperity. America’s support for China’s entry into the World Trade Organization in 2001 epitomised the high-water mark of engagement, reflecting the belief that economic integration would lead to greater political cooperation. Today, that partnership has morphed into suspicion and confrontation. Relations between the United States and China have deteriorated so swiftly that many observers now describe them as locked in a “new Cold War”. The more pressing question, however, is not whether this analogy holds, but whether confrontation can be managed short of outright conflict.

China’s economic ascent was initially encouraged, even celebrated, by the US and its allies. In the 1990s and early 2000s, Beijing was seen as a responsible stakeholder, integrating into global supply chains, attracting foreign investment, and lifting hundreds of millions out of poverty. For a time, it seemed the promise of globalisation was being realised. But confidence gave way to concern as China began to flex its newfound power more openly.

The 2008 Beijing Olympics symbolised China’s national revival and confidence both at home and abroad. Four years later, Beijing’s construction of artificial islands and militarisation of the South China Sea unsettled the Southeast Asia region and signalled a bolder strategic posture. President Xi Jinping’s rise to power appears to be the decisive turning point. Within his first year, he launched the Belt and Road Initiative, a sprawling infrastructure and investment drive that revived both overland and maritime Silk Roads as platforms of influence.

The US was initially slow to react. President Barack Obama’s “pivot to Asia” promised to rebalance American strategy, but implementation lagged. Even when the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled overwhelmingly in 2016 against China’s maritime claims, Beijing ignored the verdict without meaningful consequence. It was Donald Trump’s first presidency that marked the sharp break.

In his first term, Mr Trump’s imposition of tariffs and restrictions on advanced technology started a trade and tech war. His moves reflected a deeper political transformation in the US, as decades of scepticism toward globalisation and free trade moved from the margins to the mainstream. “America First” nationalism, once a fringe doctrine, became the organising principle of US foreign and economic policy. By his second term, Mr Trump could declare sweeping tariffs not as a sudden departure but as the logical culmination of a longstanding geostrategic campaign.

At home, the Trumpian movement emphasises nativism and tighter immigration controls. Abroad, it questions the value of the post-war order that Washington itself built. That order had allowed US allies in Europe and Asia to prosper under American security guarantees and open markets. But it also produced China’s meteoric rise, enabling Beijing to become a peer competitor. Washington’s resentment is now driving a more unilateral, protectionist, and confrontational strategy.

Yet the Cold War analogy only partly fits. The struggle between the US and the Soviet Union was waged between two systems that were fundamentally separate, with little economic interdependence. The Soviet bloc’s command economy could not keep pace with the dynamism of capitalism and collapsed under its own inefficiencies. China is a different kind of challenger.

Since Deng Xiaoping’s reforms, Beijing has combined one-party authoritarian rule with state-directed capitalism. The results were staggering: three decades of near double-digit growth, a manufacturing revolution, and the emergence of global Chinese firms in sectors from telecommunications to electric vehicles. Unlike the Soviet Union, China has embedded itself deeply in the global economy, making complete decoupling with the US impractical.

Instead, US companies and others in Europe now pursue “de-risking” — a selective disentangling of supply chains in strategic sectors such as semiconductors, critical minerals, and artificial intelligence, while leaving other forms of economic integration intact. For many countries, this balancing act reflects necessity. China is both a formidable rival and an indispensable trading partner. The world is therefore entering neither a full globalisation nor a full decoupling, but something in between.

At the heart of the contest is not just power but narrative. The US sees itself as the rightful guarantor of global order, the natural product of its “manifest destiny” — a belief in primacy that stretches back to the early 19th century. China, meanwhile, sees itself as reclaiming the greatness of its own through a “manifest resurgence”, Mr Xi’s vision of “national rejuvenation” after two centuries of humiliation and subjugation.

Both narratives carry entitlement and inevitability. The US will not cede its top position without a fight, whereas China this time will not be denied its rightful place. Each side views the other with suspicion. Washington believes Beijing has gained unfair advantages by copying technology and bending rules, while Beijing believes the US will seek to block its rise no matter what.

Such mistrust extends to public opinion. Polls show large majorities in both societies view the other unfavourably, even without direct personal contact. Even if leaders reached a pragmatic bargain, nationalist sentiment on both sides would undercut it.

Yet a full-blown military conflict and a nuclear Armageddon remain unlikely between the two sides, as deterrence is still working. But the spectre of a limited conventional war is not implausible. Taiwan remains the most combustible flashpoint, not only for its symbolism in Chinese nationalism but also for its central role in the global semiconductor industry. The South China Sea is another arena of danger, where US treaty obligations to the Philippines could transform a skirmish into a full-blooded crisis. In such volatile settings, accidents or miscalculations could escalate quickly.

For Southeast Asia, the stakes could not be higher. A US-China “grand bargain” that carves up spheres of influence would reduce regional autonomy. An outright conflict would devastate trade-dependent economies and destabilise security. The most realistic hope is a managed rivalry that is tense, competitive, and sometimes confrontational, but short of open war.

History’s warnings are sobering. Great-power clashes have repeatedly drawn smaller states into unavoidable choice and conflict. Yet history also points to alternatives. Europe, once the world’s most war-prone continent, has transformed itself into a zone of economic integration and relative peace, despite facing Russian aggression on its doorstep. As the European Union remains cohesive, its success shows that conflict is not inevitable and that cooperative frameworks can endure. The EU’s example demonstrates that cycles of conflict can be broken if states commit to cooperation, restraint, and shared rules and institutions.

The US-China contest is fundamentally about whose vision of global order will prevail. Will it be the US’s commitment to preserving its primacy or China’s determination to restore its centrality. Both sides feel entitled, both are unwilling to yield, and both are shaping the choices of other nations for decades to come. For Southeast Asia and much of the wider world, the challenge is to avoid being trampled as these giants collide. For Washington and Beijing, the task is to find a way to compete without catastrophe.

TikTok Shop has been recently added to the list of high impact online marketplace platforms required to comply with the Digital Platform Services law, according to the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA).

Chaichana Mitrpant, ETDA executive director, said that the move follows previous ETDA announcement of names of 19 online marketplaces required to comply with Section 20 of the law.

Those 19 platforms are Shopee, Lazada, One2car.com, Grab, Kaidee.com, SIA E-Auction System, LINE Shopping, Alibaba, NocNoc and AliExpress.

The others are Thisshop, Rakmao, Taobao, SCGHome, ONESIAM Application, ReadyPlastic Auction, ROOTS Platform, Temu and eBay. The announcement of the names of these 19 firms came into effect as of July 10.

The announcement of TikTok Shop will take effect one day after the announcement is published in the Royal Gazette.

ETDA is also preparing to include LINE MAN (Mart) under the same list.

Section 20 of the law obliges these platforms to conduct a business risk assessment and risk management.

Mr Chaichana emphasized that ETDA ensures a fair and thorough review process, allowing platform operators to submit information or objections. Adequate time is given for data collection and verification.

Platforms listed in the announcement must fulfill additional obligations beyond general requirements, including verifying and registering merchants.

According to Creden.co data, TIKTOK Shop (Thailand) revenue in 2024 was 12 billion baht with loss of 3.6 billion baht.

Your spot-on horoscope for work, money and relationship from Guru by the Bangkok Post’s famously accurate fortune teller. Let’s see how you will fare this week and beyond.

Aries

Mar 21 – Apr 19

Working solo is where you shine the brightest and deliver your best results. Working with others will wear you down emotionally. Be prepared for meetings that could have been emails and mixed signals. Use the chaos as fuel and you’ll discover unexpected growth opportunities.

A friend or cousin may point you to a low-key gig or hidden side income opportunity. You may stumble on forgotten cash or receive an unexpected windfall. If you’re juggling multiple debts, you’ll knock at least one out. Be careful with lending or investing, as someone may try to take advantage of you. Always double-check the fine print.

You and your partner share more peaceful moments together and quickly find happy mediums when disagreements pop up. You two might kickstart a healthier lifestyle together and keep each other motivated. Sexy time becomes more careful and meaningful.

A new hangout spot or a dating app swipe might light up chemistry that hits fast and hard. Enjoy the moment but stay realistic. The magic might fade once you’re home or when the night ends. At least you’ll walk away with a little story.

Taurus

Apr 20 – May 20

The project you’ve been pouring your energy into will soon complete. You’re getting noticed, maybe even rewarded. Both your main job and side gig will demand your full focus and what you gain in return will be worthwhile. Your network’s growing and more opportunities are coming. A job interview coming up? Expect a quick yes or no.

A windfall awaits you. A friend will drop a solid financial trick or smart investment tip. Income opportunities will keep you busier than planned, but in a way that makes you happy. Don’t forget to spend a little for pure enjoyment. Lost valuables will find their way back to you.

Next week brings smoother conversations, deeper connection and real quality time with your partner. Things are settling into a routine that could lead to the next level or bigger commitments. A new shared goal may emerge and having family in your corner makes it all feel more achievable.

Expect romantic spark with someone from work or a work-related social event but you two decide to get to know each other in secret to avoid gossips. Also, you may instantly click with a new face through social media or a friend’s introduction. Your heart’s about to get busy. Don’t let the excitement blind you to red flags.

Gemini

May 21 – Jun 20

Better communication and team support help you breeze through tasks. Your plans turn into progress with less pushback and more forward moves. Expect to land a key role in a future-focused project or major transformation initiative. It’s all about innovation, and you’ll adapt quickly with more say and influence than before. Job hunting? Keep an eye out for international opportunities.

You’ll handle your earnings and outgoings more smoothly. A friendly auntie or big sis in your circle might hook you up with a money-making opportunity, unlock an extra income stream or help you seal a sweet deal. Be careful with lending and investing – not everyone’s playing fair or has good intent.

Romance is ramping up with more playful, passionate and perfectly-timed moments between you two. Shared dreams are set to spark some wins worth celebrating. Family time is also in the cards. Unmarried couples may bring up wedding or engagenment before their parents.

If you’ve been chatting with several matches, one will sweep you off your feet and this could go IG official. Not seeing anyone? Someone off your radar might steal your heart faster than your usual type ever could.

Cancer

Jun 21 – Jul 22

Some colleagues might dismiss your ideas, but tension turns into clarity. It’ll show you exactly who’s in your corner. Manage your energy wisely as sudden urgent tasks may catch you off guard. Cyber threats or tech glitches could hit, so keep your key data safe.

Your network of friends and associates brings opportunities to earn extra cash through behind-the-scenes or less formal work. The repairs for your car, phone or daily gadget might be bigger than expected. Keep your spending minimum and stash a little cash more for safety. Stay sharp against pickpockets and travel scams while travelling abroad (even if it’s Japan).

Tension with your partner? It’s finally fading away. But don’t get too comfy – family drama or fresh trouble might follow. Still, you two will handle it together with calm confidence. This might just bring your hearts closer and make your minds wiser. Someone nosy might watch your love life for possible gossips ’cause they’re envious.

That special someone you’ve been seeing might be ready to go public with you. A married-with-kids someone from your work or social circle might sneak into your DMs with big flirty energy. If you can’t see yourself with them, don’t waste their time.

Leo

Jul 23 – Aug 22

There may be more meetings than usual but you’ll be given more decision-making power. A coveted project or unexpected opportunity lands in your lap. A few colleagues might stir up drama out of insecurity. You’re turning pressure and deadlines into fuels to push forward. If you run your own business, a big-name collab is on the cards.

Debt negotiations will work out in your favour. You might stumble on extra cash or a low-key income stream. An insurance payout, refund or overdue payment will soon arrive. Beware of fortune that comes with hidden cost. However, it will yield benefits and returns to you in the long run.

You’re each other’s anchor, muse and sage. Expect fun hangouts, romantic magic and pure couple glow. Sweet surprises may find you two as fortune smiles. Your shared vision starts turning into wins worth celebrating. You’re both stepping into deeper commitment territory, feeling completely sure about your journey together. Oh, we’re so jelly!

You may be tempted to ghost someone who doesn’t seems to be a good fit to you after getting to know them. Let them down gently. Your friends will play matchmaker and social scenes will spark fresh flirty vibes both IRL and online. You enjoy the attention and the flirtation without getting serious with anyone right now.

Virgo

Aug 23 – Sept 22

Bigwigs and clients are raising the bar and your plate’s about to get real full. Your boss might breathe down your neck more than usual. You might have to search for past assignments, fine-tune them and give them another polish. They seemed flawless to you at the time but time away from them help you realise their rooms for improvement. Sudden travel or surprise meetings could pop up.

More money comes in but more money also goes out. Beware of early signs of missing your savings goal. Joy trumps regret for now. However, don’t lose sight of your financial freedom. If recent past years have taught you anything, the lesson is that life is full of uncertainties.

Faithful couples may have a few playful disagreements and friendly competitions. If you’ve been two-timing, you may get exposed and shamed for it. Your official love and side love pressures you to choose and you may end up with none if you’re hesitant.

You may unexpectedly click with someone who’s nothing like your usual type. The chemistry is real, but so are the fears and doubts creeping into your mind. Old wounds and your differences might make you second-guess. It’s okay to take your time and feel things out.

Libra

Sept 23 – Oct 22

If you’re stuck on something, things finaly fall into place. Your energy, creativity and team synergy are at their peaks. You’ll breeze through deadlines while surprise setbacks will fuel your growth. Your professional circle is about to expand in ways that unlock hidden opportunities you never saw coming.

You’ll spend more on socialising, but you’ll also gain connections and intel that could unlock income boosts or supercharge your portfolio. Travel might bring a small windfall. You can afford little luxuries while staying on track with your savings goal.

Love feels lighter, with real talks replacing routine replies. You’ll actually hear each other, bringing you two closer. Shared goals and everyday challenges start turning into wins. Cross-cultural couples discuss their plan to wed or which country to settle down.

Fighting for someone’s heart? You’ll charm your way to victory. If you’re seeing no one, a fascinating foreigner or someone from a different culture might steal your heart. Despite some differences, shared passions and similar life goals will spark a deep, instant connection.

Scorpio

Oct 23 – Nov 21

You pick up new tech and tools fast while your creativity is at the maximum. What once felt tricky now feels easy. With the blend of knowledge, people skills and data-driven intuition, you’re becoming the office’s go-to guru and peacemaker. You’ll crush your to-do list and land a secret mission from bigwigs.

Your negotiation skills will deliver rewarding results. An unexpected inheritance or family heirloom could come your way. Valuable insider info might boost your investment game or help you spend smarter. Juggling multiple debts? One’s about to be history.

Heart-to-heart talks bring you two closer. You and your partner are more in sync. You two laugh more while building deeper trust. A shared dream or goal brings a spark of excitement between you two.

A family member or a close family friend might play matchmaker, nudging you toward someone with similar vibes and social standing. A fresh face or a blast from the past might slip into your DMs for a casual hook-up.

Sagittarius

Nov 22 – Dec 21

Curveballs and shake-ups will push you out of your comfort zone. You’ll meet unfamiliar faces, test new methods and work with tools you’ve never used before. Pressure might hit hard at first, but it’ll gradually give way to hope and excitement. Entrepreneurs, new markets await across borders or city lines.

Your pay/rate negotiations are likely to succeed, so trust your value and own your earning power. If you’re selling your property or brokering deals, expect signed and sealed papers. You’ll add more to your savings and still afford smalls splurges that make you smile.

Someone, through social media or your friend group, could sweep you off your feet in a heartbeat. Things might get steamy and spicy behind the scenes, but your heart’s still with your main squeeze. Your bond’s unshakable and you manage to keep them in the dark for now.

You radiate rizz. Expect several admirers, taken and available. Some just want to bed you and nothing more. Set boundaries that protect both your peace and your heart. Remember that with great charm comes great responsibility.

Capricorn

Dec 22 – Jan 19

Brace yourself for extra tension at meetings and more office drama. Soften your words to avoid burning bridges. On the bright side, your fierce determination and energy will power you through tough tasks and help you slay every deadline. You’ll do well in any upcoming test or competition.

Expect delayed or only partial payments. You may also get hit with major spending urges for entertainment and luxuries. A promising financial opportunity or unexpected cash boost may come into you late next week.

Brace yourself for a relationship rollercoaster. A hidden secret or money issue could come to light. Pain from the past might resurface too. Give each other more patience and kindness. Take a deep breath and ride out this turbulence together.

Fresh romance is heading your way. Some people aren’t looking for lasting love. Watch out for scammers and fling-seekers. If things are heating up with someone, you may be blindsided as they’re about to ghost you for someone else.

Aquarius

Jan 20 – Feb 18

Something feels off at your workplace. Expect tense talks and tangled communication. A higher-up might call you out for not delivering your best. Next week is a prime time to face and fix lingering issues bubbling beneath the surface. Fresh opportunities await if you’re bold enough to shake up your routine.

Your income stream may feel shaky. Expect surprises and shortfalls instead of steady streams. Ditch the dice and skip impulse buys on fun stuff. Don’t play guarantor for anyone’s debts. Time to tighten up or reboot your money plan.

Your relationship’s running on autopilot, stuck in repeat mode. You’re hungry for spark and fresh excitement. You might drop tiny white lies just to spice things up. Someone unaware that you’re taken might casually flirt with you.

You meet potential admirers IRL and online but none seems to live up to your standard. You think you deserve someone who deserve you and aren’t going to settle for less anytime soon. However, one of your admirers may call you snobbish.

Pisces

Feb 19 – Mar 20

You’re firing on all cylinders. Your energy, intuition and creativity will unite to take on projects, surprise deadlines and backlogs head-on. You can read the room in seconds, smoothly navigating conflicts and managing expectations with effortless finesse. Your standout results could land you a moment worth celebrating.

Fresh connections could reveal a secret source of income. You might be busier making money but it’s the good kind of busy. Make hay while the sun shines. You’re in your best earning years so don’t slow down just yet. Seeing those digits climb will definitely put a smile on your face.

Couples know when to spend time together and when to spend time on their own. Personal space and time are necessary for any healthy relationships. Quick make-ups will follow any mix-ups. Unmarried couples bring up their wedding or engagement plan to see their parents’s approval.

You’re laser-focused on building wealth and becoming your best self. As you glow up, someone older might start eyeing you with more than friendly interest. Your go-getting vibe is very appealing to them. An old flame or someone from your dating past might slide into your DMs for a casual hookup but it isn’t necessarily a good news.

Nowadays, there’s an expensive price tag and a high social currency associated with wellness and longevity. The latter already sparked a viral online debate in Thailand mere weeks ago, with thought leaders and influencers sharing their interpretation of longevity, and whether it’s turned into a measure of wealth, therefore creating pressure for the aspiring class and demanding you keep up appearances by investing in ice baths, wearing tech devices and measuring your sleep quality. Whilst advocating for wellness is all well and good, there are more ways to live a balanced life than constantly quantifying and tracking your wearables.

This trend is seeping through everywhere, even in luxury hotels. In 2024, Aman appointed tennis legend Novak Djokovic as its first Global Wellness Advisor in a multi-year partnership.

Thailand is well-positioned for a wellness ecosystem. Our country’s wellness economy was valued at 1 trillion baht in 2024. Just look at some world-class establishments we have on hand – from Chiva Som, which ranks high on every wellness retreat list, to RAKxa Wellness Retreat in Bang Krachao, a newer player that launched in 2020 but quickly gained traction due to its facilities and reputable services. These retreats have emerged as a new status symbol.

There are various layers of segmentation to our country’s wellness ecosystem, from retreats to clinics, spas, boutique gyms and restaurants offering clean food.

An Aston Martin or a Richard Mille on your wrist may shout it from the rooftops, but in today’s wellness and longevity-minded culture, contemporary urbanites also measure success with measures of time, flexibility and their Whoop devices. Nowadays, an indication of wealth may be someone who squeezes in a vitamin IV drip on a Tuesday afternoon and checks into RAKxa for a weekend of mindful treatments.

Think of all the conversations you have at dinner tables. Aside from discussing where the best Ulthera treatment is, mentions of blood sugar levels, sleep treatments, and anti-aging regimens likely dominate if you’re over 32. These conversations may be anecdotal, but they’re translating to real money spent. We’ve never been more obsessed with tracking not only how many hours of sleep we’re getting per night, but also the quality of such sleep. We’re pouring money into this whole new urban lifestyle, and hacking our bodies to live longer.

There’s an exhaustive list of activities to spend time on and multiple customised tests to pay for.

At home party recovery drips? Check. Cryotherapy? Check. There’s a lot of social pressure to participate in and join this wellness movement, even if we’re not entirely sure of its benefits.

As Thais, we love following the latest trends and joining in on the hype, and there are endless benefits to wanting to live longer and better. However, we must also not forget the very basics that hold our health together: rest, exercise and hydration.

The colourful lighting system on the roofed walkway at Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya is ready to welcome tourists during the high season, creating a new landmark in the beach city in Chon Buri.

Pattaya mayor Poramet Ngampichet visited the pier on Wednesday night to inspect the completion of the makeover.

The walkway’s roof had been completed for some time under a city project to protect residents and visitors travelling to and from Koh Lan from sun and rain.

A new electrical system was installed along the bridge, with lights synchronising with the iconic Pattaya City sign on its right. Eight different lighting styles are available and they can be adjusted to match each festival season, Mr Poramet said.

With a total of 31 lighting strips, the system automatically turns on from 6pm to 6am daily.

‘The roofed walkway not only provides convenience for travellers but also serves as a new landmark for capturing the beauty of Pattaya, both day and night,’ the mayor said.

The display is complemented by LED screens newly installed at entrances of the Walking Street to modernise the area, he added.

The makeover of Bali Hai Pier, the boarding point for coral island ferries, speedboat charters, fishing and scuba diving trips, is expected to attract tourists and boost the local economy during the upcoming high season.

Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Vice Chair of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC), underscoring the relevance of King Rama IX’s Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (SEP) in society today, says it is not about ‘settling for less’ but about achieving sustainable, inclusive and enduring growth.

In a speech titled ‘Adaptation. For a Better World’ at the Sustainability Expo 2025 (SX2025) on Wednesday, Ms Kobkarn said the SEP is not reserved for corporations alone. Rather, it is a guiding principle for businesses, communities and individuals alike, she added.

She noted that the SEP has often been misunderstood. For years, some critics have assumed that the philosophy discourages economic progress, equating sufficiency with complacency, she said.

‘This old belief misled people into thinking SEP would never bring wealth,’ she said. ‘But in reality, SEP is about balance – growth that is sustainable, inclusive and enduring. Foreigners believe in Thailand – why don’t we?’

The sharing session that followed also featured international perspectives.

Vibeke Lyssand Leirvag, a Norwegian entrepreneur and Vice President of the Thai-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce, described how the SEP values shaped her jewellery company.

By prioritising employee well-being and transparency, the business scaled significantly while retaining a small team of 36 Thai staff, she said.

She encouraged companies in all sectors to embrace the SEP step-by-step: ‘Celebrate every little win. Invest in your people. Don’t expect overnight millions – you’ll lose them just as fast.’

Lester Khoo, International Affairs Director of Charoen Pokphand Foods, who hails from New Zealand, explained how the SEP aligns with the CPF’s role as a ‘sustainable kitchen of the world’.

Operating in 17 countries and feeding 4 billion people, the company follows three SEP-inspired principles: loyalty to the nation, benefit for the people and profit for the company, Mr Khoo said.

‘Moderation is key,’ he said. ‘Sustainability requires balance between business and nature.’

Another highlight of SX2025 was the session titled ‘Business Models Inspired by the Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy: Practical Applications and Sustainable Success’.

There, Ms Kobkarn introduced Sirikul Laukaikul, brand strategist and founder of Por Laew Dee: The Creators Project on the SEP, who emphasised that SEP is not limited to agriculture but can be adapted to any business model.

Several Thai entrepreneurs also showcased their success stories.

‘Penguin Eat Shabu’, founded by Thanapong Wongchinsri, shifted from competition to collaboration by creating Penguin X, a platform linking restaurants with academic partners.

Khao Thammachad, led by Chinnasri Phoolra-ao, built partnerships with bakeries to ensure fair incomes for rice farmers through transparent cost management.

Onson, founded by Thamwit Limlertcharoenwanich, transformed rice into a premium local liquor while reusing waste for cattle feed and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Biovech, created by Pawarith Raksaswaphokin, worked with communities in Nan to develop herbal-based cosmetics, creating over 200 jobs and attracting major brands.

As Thailand navigates economic challenges, Ms Kobkarn emphasised, responsible personal spending and a balanced approach are key to sustaining livelihoods and ensuring long-term growth.

‘Growth must be balanced and shared with all people,’ she said, calling on the younger generation to carry the Thai identity proudly into the global arena.

Echoing her remarks, Ms Sirikul added: ‘The king’s philosophy is not just guidance – it is practical know-how that has enabled Thailand to overcome challenges time and again.’

More than 30,000 HIV self-test kits have been distributed nationwide under a free online service, revealing infection rates nearly three times higher than the national average, says the Stand by You project.

Since 2022, the project has provided free counselling, risk assessments, HIV self-test kits, and education on HIV and other sexually transmitted infections through its Line account. In 2025, it was also integrated into the Universal Healthcare Scheme. To date, over 500,000 people have accessed the Stand by You account, with 160,000 using its services.

More than 30,000 received counselling and testing kits, with two-thirds under 30 years of age. Among them, 2.8% tested positive, three times higher than the national average.

Dr Kulkanya Chokephaibulkit, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, and founder of the project, said early detection saves lives and reduces transmission.Studies show that untreated individuals can pass HIV to three to six others, she said, noting that distributing 100 self-test kits could prevent around 10 new infections.

Thailand has 9,000 new HIV cases each year, but the National Aids Strategy (2017-2030) aims to reduce this to 1,000 annually. To achieve this, at least 100,000 test kits must be distributed each year. Failure to act could mean 8,000 new cases annually, or 400,000 over 50 years, adding more than 20 billion baht in treatment costs each year, she said.

“Early detection and treatment are crucial, not only to prevent new infections but also to improve quality of life and reduce the long-term economic burden,” she said.

The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) on Wednesday announced a 23-strong national squad for the War Elephants’ home-and-away 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifying games this month.

Thailand, placed in Group D of qualifying tournament for Saudi Arabia 2027, are scheduled to take on Taiwan on Oct 9 at Bangkok’s Rajamangala National Stadium before playing an away game against the same opponents on Oct 14 at Taipei Municipal Stadium.

Thailand are currently in second place in the group table with three points from two matches. They started the campaign with a victory over Sri Lanka but went on to lose against Turkmenistan in June.

While Thailand head coach Masatada Ishii has kept faith in Chanathip Songkrasin, Nicholas Mickelson, Supachok Sarachat and Supachai Chaided, he has once again overlooked veterans Theerathon Bunmathan and Teerasil Dangda.

Ishii said: “We have retained the key players in the team in the hope that they will help us post good results in the games against Taiwan. We follow all players and have tried to name the best possible squad.”

SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Patiwat Khammai, Saranon Anuin and Kampon Pathomakkakul

Defenders: Suphanan Bureerat, Nicholas Mickelson, Suphan Thongsong, Nattapong Sairiya, Saringkan Promsupa, Jonathan Khemdee, Apisit Sorada and Sasalak Haiprakhon

Midfielders: Weerathep Pomphan, Phitiwat Sookjithammakul, Chanathip Songkrasin, Worachit Kanitsribumphen, Thitiphan Puangchan, Benjamin Davis, Seksan Ratree, Jaroensak Wonggorn and Supachok Sarachat

Forwards: Supachai Chaided, Teerasak Poeiphimai and Poramet Arjvirai

FIXTURES

Oct 9 – Thailand v Taiwan (Rajamangala National Stadium, 7.30pm)

Oct 14 – Taiwan v Thailand (Taipei Municipal Stadium, 5.30pm)