Category: The Bangkok Post

At vivo’s recent event in China the company raised the bar on mobile photography and performance once again, this time with its X300 and X300 Pro smartphones. Building on last year’s success of the X200 series in the Thai market, the new models are expectd to deliver a compelling blend of cutting-edge camera technology, flagship-grade performance and luminous display innovation. With a clear focus on portrait and low-light photography, the X300 series positions itself as a serious contender in the premium Android segment.

It is well known in Thailand that vivo is one of the top 2 smartphone brands that consistently produce the best looking and eye pleasing portraits, without any extra software interventions.

The new highlight is the integration of ZEISS optics, including a 200MP main camera and a periscope telephoto lens, alongside a refined aesthetic that introduces new materials and manufacturing techniques.

Both models feature a redesigned camera module using 3D Cold-Carved Glass, a single-piece glass moulding process that reduces the size of the camera bump, enhances durability, and prevents dust accumulation. The X300 Pro further distinguishes itself with a sleeker lens frame etched to resemble professional camera lenses. On the rear, vivo introduces Coral Velvet glass, offering a soft matte texture that resists fingerprints.

The X300 Pro, starting at 5,299 Chinese Yuan, is available in four colours: Brown, blue, white, and black. The standard X300, starting at 4,399 Chinese Yuan, comes in pink, purple, blue, and black.

Camera upgrades are central to the X300 Pro. It sports a 50MP ZEISS main camera with Sony’s new LYT-828 sensor (1/1.28′), enhanced optical stabilisation, and Super Blue Glass for improved light transmission and reduced ghosting. The periscope telephoto lens boasts a 200MP ZEISS APO sensor (1/1.4′), co-developed with Samsung and MediaTek, offering 3.7x optical zoom and up to 100x digital zoom. The ultra-wide and front cameras remain at 50MP, with autofocus and wide-angle capabilities.

The X300, while more affordable, surprises with a 200MP ZEISS main camera using a special ISOCELL HPB sensor, a result of collaboration between vivo, Samsung and MediaTek. It also includes a 50MP ZEISS APO periscope lens with 3x optical zoom, the first time this premium standard appears in a non-Pro model. Both phones support adaptive rear flash, 4K 60FPS video recording, and dual-view shooting.

Under the hood, both models run on the upgraded Dimensity 9500 chipset paired with vivo’s V3+ imaging chip. The Pro adds a dedicated VS1 processor for image and video enhancement. Battery capacity sees a boost with the Pro packing a 6510mAh BlueVolt cell and the X300 a 6040mAh unit, both supporting 90W wired and 40W wireless charging.

vivo also introduces a new zoom lens accessory compatible with both models, offering 2.35x magnification for sharper telephoto shots. Users can attach the lens and activate it via the camera’s settings menu.

A 72-year-old American man fell to his death from a condominium building in Pattaya early on Sunday morning, with police discovering a note suggesting financial difficulties.

Officers were alerted to the incident at a condominium in tambon Nong Prue at around 2.10am.

The man’s body was found face down in a pool of blood in the car park. Police said several bones were broken.

According to police, the man had been living alone in a fifth-floor flat. There were no signs of a struggle, but a handwritten note was found, saying goodbye and mentioning money problems.

CCTV footage showed the man taking a lift to the 11th floor, where he climbed onto a chair, went out of a window, and jumped.

Police said they would notify the US Embassy.

A seaplane service will begin a trial run from Koh Kradan in Trang province in December, with the first commercial route likely to be between Phuket and Trang.

ACM Manat Chuaprayoon, governor of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand, said the service would initially operate on Koh Kradan for 180 days from December.

It would then be assessed, both for commercial viability and for environmental and other impacts.

He said two companies, Siam Seaplane and Thai Seaplane, had licences for such services, and their planes could also use any conventional airport.

‘Seaplanes will be another choice for tourists,’ ACM Manat said.

Surachai Nuprom, acting president of Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (Aerothai), said Siam Seaplane and Thai Seaplane were ready to launch this ground-breaking service in Thailand, with aircrews and business plans. The first route was likely to be Phuket-Trang.

The operators were also interested in routes to islands off Phuket, Phangnga, Koh Samui and Trang, he said.

Officials would study the possible impact from the noise of seaplane propellers and engines. If they proved to be environmentally friendly, a permanent seaplane service could start in mid-2026, he said.

Aerothai was prepared to manage seaplane air traffic. Other commercial flights and services would not be affected, Mr Surachai said.

Aerothai is state-owned and runs air traffic control and aviation communication services in Thailand.

K-pop groups formed through reality singing contests often rise to fame quickly because they already have a large fan base. ZeroBaseOne is one such group that has followed this successful format.

ZeroBaseOne, the highly talented boy group formed through the support of fans from 184 countries on Mnet’s Boys Planet, consists of nine members — Sung Han-bin, Kim Ji-woong, Zhang Hao, Seok Matthew, Kim Tae-rae, Ricky, Kim Gyu-vin, Park Gun-wook and Han Yu-jin.

Organised by SM True, this global boy group is scheduled to visit Bangkok for “2025 ZeroBaseOne World Tour [Here and Now]” on Oct 18 at Impact Challenger. Since their debut, ZeroBaseOne has achieved success in the K-pop history with five consecutive million-plus-selling albums, underscoring their rapid rise on the global stage.

ZeroBaseOne has continuously broken records in the Korean music industry. Their debut mini-album Youth In The Shade, which was released in July 2023, sold over 2 million copies and earned them the title “double million seller”.

Their next release Melting Point in November 2023 recorded first-week sales of over 2.1 million copies, making them the first K-pop group to achieve over a million sales for two consecutive albums since debut. They also swept all major Rookie of the Year awards in Korea and have since continued to set records with five consecutive million-plus-selling albums.

On Sept 1, the group released their first full album titled Never Say Never. This album showcases their potential and reaffirms their status as global top tier.

Get ready to experience an incredible spectrum of music and discover the unique charms of all nine members at their world tour concert.

Tickets cost 2,500, 2,900, 3,400, 3,800, 4,800, 5,800, 5,900 and 6,900 baht (VIP package) baht. However, VIP packages are already sold out. Tickets can be purchased at all Counter Service outlets in 7-Eleven stores nationwide and via allticket.com.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has reaffirmed Thailand’s adherence to legal and ethical standards in managing cross-border issues with Cambodia, following criticism over the use of psychological tactics near the frontier.

In response to questions about whether the airing of documentaries and eerie sound effects constituted a gradual escalation of measures to push back Cambodian nationals, Mr Anutin, also the interior minister, said that he had already delegated full authority to the military to make operational decisions. This included matters of diplomatic engagement, which fall under the remit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Reporters also inquired whether the use of ghostly sound effects near the border might constitute a violation of human rights, given that some members of the Senate had raised concerns.

The prime minister said that he had yet to listen to the audio himself, explaining that he had spent the entire weekend in the field.

Nonetheless, he emphasised that all actions must remain within the bounds of the law – both Thai and international – and must comply with universally accepted norms and principles.

When asked whether such tactics might damage Thailand’s standing on the international stage, Mr Anutin replied: ‘We are safeguarding our sovereignty.’

On Sunday evening, the ghost-themed broadcast with an open-air film screening near the border was changed to a documentary titled Camp 511, which recounts historical events involving Cambodian refugees who once fled violence in their homeland. Thailand had extended humanitarian support by offering them refuge.

The documentary, presented in the Khmer language, was previously published on the Royal Thai Army’s Facebook page.

It describes the history of ‘Camp 511’, known officially as the Nong Chan Refugee Camp, which sheltered Cambodians escaping the Cambodian Civil War approximately 40 years ago.

A key segment of the film states: ‘Nong Chan did more than welcome strangers. It gave them a chance to grow rice, farm, and begin life anew. But some refused to return home, establishing new roots on Thai soil. And today, they seek to encroach and harm Thai soldiers.’

On Monday, a report from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit revealed that the team had discovered two additional anti-personnel landmines during operations in the Ban Nong Ya Kaeo area in Sa Kaeo’s Khok Sung district.

The first device was identified as a fixed-position anti-personnel mine of the MN79 type, fully operational. Nearby, a second device was found – an operational fixed-position anti-personnel mine of the PMN type.

Both mines were safely neutralised and removed by the EOD team in accordance with standard procedures.

Since the beginning of the clearance mission, from Friday until Monday, a total of seven anti-personnel landmines have been discovered in the area.

SET-listed Global Power Synergy (GPSC) is planning to co-invest in a small modular reactor (SMR) overseas to prepare the company for a similar nuclear power plant project in Thailand.

An SMR is a type of nuclear power technology with a capacity of up to 300 megawatts per unit, about one-third the generating capacity of larger, traditional nuclear power reactors, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

GPSC, the power generation arm of national oil and gas conglomerate PTT Plc, views SMR power plants as a reliable solution to meet its customers’ energy demands, especially for businesses seeking low-carbon, clean energy alternatives.

The company is in talks with a prospective business partner to jointly carry out an SMR project, with a deal expected to be completed next year, said Sirimet Leepagorn, president and acting chief operating officer of GPSC.

The targeted partnership would also supply power to an overseas petrochemical complex, he said.

The deal could pave the way for developing an SMR project in Thailand, provided the country opens up opportunities for private sector involvement in such plants, said Mr Sirimet.

“We may talk with our partner about investing in an SMR project here,” he said.

GPSC is confident it can smoothly adopt the SMR technology, thanks to budget availability and a plan to educate and train its employees on nuclear power know-how.

The joint project requires an investment of roughly US$6 million per MW.

SMRs have the potential to help Thailand generate more clean power and ensure long-term national energy security because, unlike renewable energy, nuclear energy enables power plant operators to deliver a steady supply of electricity. The sun and wind are intermittent sources of energy as their electricity generation capacity depends largely on weather patterns.

SMR technology is capable of reliably meeting domestic electricity needs while lowering carbon emissions, aligning with PTT’s net-zero target, a balance between greenhouse gas emissions and absorption, said Mr Sirimet.

A 30-year-old woman hiking on Doi Pui Luang was seriously injured when struck by lightning during a thunderstorm on Sunday evening, leading to a difficult two-hour emergency evacuation down the mountain.

Reports said she was struck by lightning about 6pm.

She was among about 20 tourists caught on the mountain by the storm while hiking near Ban Huai Hi in tambon Huai Pu Ling of Muang district.

The woman, a Thai identified only as Pattaraphon, was left unconscious with critical injuries, according to local news reports. Her companions gave her cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

A rescue team carried the injured woman down the mountain in heavy rain, the trail slippery and the footing treacherous. It took them more than two hours to reach the bottom.

Reports said the woman was responsive during the trip to Srisangwan Hospital, where she was admitted at 8.45pm. Ms Pattaraphon has serious burns and was transferred to Nakornping Hospital in Chiang Mai. She is reportedly a native of Nakhon Si Thammarat and had travelled to the North from Bangkok.

Muang Mae Hong Son chief Yutthana Jaoduree warned visitors to exercise caution during stormy weather in such circumstances. They should turn off their phones and other electronic devices, and avoid taking shelter under tall trees or in huts in open areas.

Local residents said lightning strikes were common on Doi Pui Luang at this time of year and often killed livestock.

Re: “Cultural confusion”, (PostBag, Oct 11) and “Off to a dancing start”, (BP, Oct 10).

Mr Vichai believes tourism should focus on Thai culture and achievements, and suggests Ban Rak Thai should be excluded because it’s Chinese.

But the fact is, it’s a tourist attraction — try finding somewhere to park your car there at a weekend — and that’s because it’s Chinese.

But at the same time it is an example of Thai hospitality in action. At the end of the Chinese civil war in 1946 various Kuo Min Tang (losing side) armies were left marooned in Burma.

The UN offered to fly them to join their comrades in Taiwan, and Thailand offered to take in those who chose not to go, provided they left their guns at the border.

Ban Rak Thai is one of the consequences. Its name, “love Thai village”, expresses the inhabitants’ gratitude.

Colin Roth

Can’t help but gloat

Re: “Opposition leader wins Nobel prize”, (BP, Oct 11).

Karma is real and alive. The Nobel Peace Prize for 2025 has gone to Maria Corina Machado “for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy”

A wonderful winner for her work for democracy by making positive contributions rather than another candidate who has been working against democracy. He had been quietly promoting his right to win a medal but it would have been the destruction of the credibility of the award.

Oh dear, President Donald Trump didn’t win, but he could look for inspiration from this and many other prior winners.

Well done Maria, thank you for your work.

Dennis Fitzgerald

Healthy minds

Re: “Tackling mental health woes”, (Editorial, Oct 5).

The unprecedented rise of mental health issues across Thailand and across South and South East Asia is quite alarming. It reflects how mental health is affecting our life and how important it is to our existence.

World Mental Health Day is observed every year on Oct 10 to raise awareness about mental health issues around the world and to mobilise efforts in support of mental well-being.

Education institutions, organisations, and community groups across the world conducted seminars, interactive workshops, art exhibitions, and awareness rallies. Psychologists and counsellors addressed common mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression, emphasising the need to seek help without hesitation.

At the local level, students and teachers participated in discussions and shared personal reflections on maintaining emotional balance and empathy in daily life. Posters, slogans, and creative performances highlighted the theme, “Mental Health is a Universal Human Right.”

The observance of World Mental Health Day 2025 reminded everyone that mental health awareness is not limited to a single day — it requires continuous care, compassion, and community support.

The day reinforced the message that mental health matters for everyone, everywhere. By spreading understanding and kindness, we can build a healthier, more inclusive, and emotionally resilient world.

Saikat Kumar Basu

Street vendors and food stalls have long defined Bangkok’s urban rhythm — sizzling woks, plastic stools and the hum of late-night chatter form an inseparable part of the city’s identity. To locals, they are the pulse of everyday life; to visitors, a culinary adventure.

Yet beneath the charm lies a perennial conflict: culture versus order, livelihood versus law.

That tension has shaped decades of city policy. Today, it returns to the spotlight as the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) embarks on a new chapter in its effort to reclaim and reorganise the capital’s sidewalks.

A February survey by Nida Poll underscores just how deeply street vending is woven into the city’s social fabric.

Out of 1,319 Bangkok residents surveyed, more than 92% said they had bought goods from street vendors. Most praised the convenience and affordability, but 59% agreed that vending should be allowed only on wide sidewalks, while 13.8% supported a complete ban. A third believed the issue would never be fully resolved.

For City Hall, striking a balance is nothing new.

Successive governors have sought to reclaim pedestrian spaces without destroying livelihoods. One of the most sweeping efforts came in 2016, when then-governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra eliminated all unofficial vending zones in the city’s Central Business District, including prime areas from Ratchaprasong to Sukhumvit.

With the deployment of municipal officers and military support, more than 10,000 vendors across 23 districts were displaced.

“The 2016 order destroyed our livelihood for years,” recalled Panisara Piyasomroj, a noodle stall owner who used to trade on Sarasin Road in Pathumwan district.

“Sarasin Street Food was about to be listed in the Guinness Book of Records, and just days later, it fell silent. We weren’t the ones causing problems, yet we paid the price.”

Vendors like Ms Panisara were relocated to an open area in front of Lumphini Park, opposite King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. Sales dropped significantly, but many persevered.

“We have less space and fewer tables,” said Prapaporn Anatabut, who runs a hotpot stall. “Everyone just works harder to make the same income.”

City’s first hawker Centre

Now, that patch of open space is being cleared once again — this time for something new.

The Lumphini Hawker Centre, a pilot project by the BMA, aims to formalise street food trading within a dedicated, purpose-built space.

Construction began in June and is scheduled for completion by February next year.

The centre, designed with an eco-friendly, open-air concept, will house 88 stalls per shift, each two square metres in size. Vendors will work in two rotations: 5am-4pm and 4pm-midnight, catering to both early park-goers and late-night diners.

“This hawker centre will not only raise the standards of Bangkok’s street food — making it more orderly, clean and safe — but also help alleviate hardship for low-income earners,” said BMA spokesman Aekvarunyoo Amrapala.

“Priority will go to original vendors affected by the Sarasin Road reorganisation.”

The building features natural ventilation (avoiding air-conditioning), muted roof colours to reduce glare near the hospital and plans to replant large trees temporarily relocated during construction.

Eligibility for stalls is limited to Thai nationals with State Welfare Cards or annual incomes below 180,000 baht. Contracts will be renewed annually.

BMA officials describe the project as Thailand’s first purpose-built hawker centre in a central business district — part of a broader urban vision to improve walkability, reorganise sidewalks and make public areas safer, particularly for the elderly and disabled.

Smaller “mini hawker centres” have already been developed in several districts, often in collaboration with private partners, to provide affordable meals for office workers.

Mr Aekvarunyoo says the Lumphini model draws direct inspiration from Singapore’s globally admired hawker system, blending regulation with shared facilities and communal dining areas.

“Some vendors in other parts of the city may need to move to side streets instead of main roads,” he said. “It’s a balancing act between maintaining order and preserving livelihoods.”

For many vendors, the transition brings a mix of hope and hesitation.

“This is our chance to survive legally,” said Ms Panisara. “But we still worry about rent and whether customers will follow us inside.”

“The new space gives us structure and fewer disputes. At least we’ll be safe from rain and power cuts,” added Jirathpong Panpai, who runs a 50-baht all-you-can-eat stall.

As Bangkok shifts from informal sidewalk stalls to organised food hubs, the transformation represents more than just policy reform — it’s a test of whether the city can modernise without losing the flavour that made it world-famous.

For some vendors, it’s a path to stability; for others, a struggle for space. Yet the hope remains that Bangkok’s street food will not disappear — only evolve.

As Thailand prepares to host the 2025 SEA Games this December, a controversy has emerged over the use of the term “Muay” instead of “Muaythai” for the boxing event.

Some argue that dropping “Thai” strips the sport of its national identity, given that Muaythai is widely regarded as Thailand’s national martial art.

The issue has now reached Parliament, where Tourism and Sports Minister Artthakorn Sirilatthayakorn vowed to push the SEA Games Council to restore the term “Muaythai” to the listing, claiming it represents Thailand’s soft power and national heritage.

Such remarks, however, reflect a troubling pattern — one that prioritises nationalist sentiment over sound reasoning and global perspective.

Sport, by its very nature, is universal. Turning an international competition into a platform for asserting national ownership risks alienating neighbours and undermining regional unity.

Thailand has long sought to globalise Muaythai. The sport has gained widespread recognition, with training camps around the world and thousands of foreign practitioners embracing the art. Yet it has never fully crossed over into the global mainstream.

Private promoters have succeeded where governments have not, adapting the discipline for broader audiences, as seen in ONE Championship, while officialdom clings stubbornly to symbols of national pride rather than evolving with the times.

Insisting that the SEA Games must label the sport “Muaythai” may satisfy patriotic pride, but it risks confining the art within national borders. If Thailand truly wants its martial art to flourish internationally, openness, not ownership, is the path forward.

The word “Muay” — meaning boxing — is itself Thai, and perfectly sufficient. Other nations’ martial arts such as taekwondo, judo and karate have achieved global recognition without constant reference to their countries of origin.

Moreover, insisting on the term “Muaythai” could even prompt boycotts from countries such as Cambodia and Laos, which claim their own traditional forms of the sport under different names. Such a move would risk turning what should be a celebration of unity into a clash of national pride.

This debate is not new. At the previous SEA Games two years ago, Cambodia stirred controversy by branding its boxing event “Kun Khmer.” Thailand protested at the time, calling for fair recognition. It would now be inconsistent and unwise for Thailand, as host, to repeat such a divisive and unacceptable move.

Fortunately, Chaiyapak Siriwat, vice president and chief operating officer of the Southeast Asian Games Federation, confirms the official term this year will remain simply “Muay”.

That decision deserves full support. It reflects maturity and respect for sporting spirit, rather than a shallow nationalism that serves no one.

A useful precedent can be found in the compromise over Sepak Takraw, a sport jointly claimed by Malaysia and Thailand. In the end, both sides accepted the hybrid name “Sepak Takraw,” allowing the sport to grow without contention and creating a true win-win outcome.

Muaythai is, without question, a source of national pride. But pride must never outweigh the essence of sport — unity, health, inspiration, and friendship. The government and its sports authorities should remember that spreading Thai culture through sport requires humility, not hegemony.