Category: The Bangkok Post

Bangkok, September 29, 2025 — The partnership between the Badminton World Federation (BWF) and Etihad Airways marks a significant milestone in combining elite sport with global connectivity.

Under this collaboration, Etihad serves as the Official Global Airline Partner of the BWF, providing seamless travel and premium experiences for players, officials and fans, while amplifying badminton’s global reach. The alliance reflects both organisations’ shared mission to unite people across continents through sport, culture and shared values.

Since January 2025, the airline has connected badminton’s worldwide fan base of 744 million people, most of whom are in Asia, with its expanding network and services.

At the recent TotalEnergies BWF World Championships in Paris, BWF President Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul met with Arik De, Etihad’s Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, to celebrate the role the airline has played in elevating the sport this year.

“To align ourselves with a global leader in air travel such as Etihad Airways signals the sport’s expanding footprint,” Khunying Patama said. “Etihad’s dedication to fostering connections through sport mirrors our mission of uniting people through badminton’s universal appeal.

“We are proud to partner with a sponsor that shares our vision to elevate badminton to world-class status, and for Etihad to take an active role in developing the sport globally. Together, we aim to enhance the fan experience, elevate the sport’s visibility and deliver unforgettable experiences at our premier tournaments.”

De underlined the synergy between the two organisations. “Our partnership with the BWF reflects Etihad’s commitment to connecting people through sport, culture and travel,” he said.

“Badminton is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, uniting millions of fans across Asia and beyond. As we expand our network across Southeast Asia, we are proud to engage with badminton fans everywhere and support a sport that is so deeply loved in the region.”

Beyond celebrating the partnership, Khunying Patama herself embodies the global aspirations of the sport. A billionaire entrepreneur turned philanthropist, she has channelled her resources into sport, youth development, art, music and culture.

She became Thailand’s first female member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2017, the fourth Thai overall to hold the post. Earlier this year, she was elected unopposed by 204 national member associations as president of the BWF for the 2025-2029 term, making her not only the first Thai but also the first woman ever to lead the BWF.

In Thailand, she serves as President of the Badminton Association of Thailand under Royal Patronage, where she has spearheaded grassroots development, talent-building initiatives and the hosting of world-class events.

Her influence extends well beyond sport. She is active in numerous charities supporting education, health and social development, while also serving as patron of cultural, art and music organisations.

With business interests ranging from steel and property to hospitality and logistics, Khunying Patama has long been recognised as a leading figure in both corporate and philanthropic circles. In 2024, she was honoured by the Thai Sports Journalists’ Association with the title “Olympic Queen” for her contributions to Thai and international sport.

Through her leadership, generosity and vision, Khunying Patama has not only shaped the trajectory of badminton worldwide but has also inspired countless young people in Asia and beyond.

Rukchanok Srinork, People’s Party (PP) MP for Bangkok, called on newly appointed Labour Minister Trinuch Thienthong to urgently address lingering issues within the Social Security Office (SSO), including the controversial purchase of the SKYY9 building.

Speaking during the parliamentary debate on the government’s policy statement, Ms Rukchanok urged the labour minister to expedite an investigation into the SSO’s purchase of SKYY9 at an overpriced rate, demanding that those responsible, whether ministers or senior officials, be held accountable within three months.

Opposition MP Rukchanok also pointed out that several ministers in the current government had links to the SKYY9 purchase, including Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin, Public Health Minister and former building owner Pattana Prompha and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, who was the former labour minister, as well as Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who formed the probe committee to investigate the purchase of the building.

She further raised concerns about ongoing efforts to derail the Social Security Board election by amending regulations within the SSO, which would exclude employee representatives.

Ms Rukchanok also questioned whether the election would still take place in February 2026.

She added that proposals to change the system to an internal selection process were raised by a Senate committee member who had previously lost the Social Security Board election.

Sri Trang Gloves (Thailand) Public Company Limited (STGT) welcomed ambassadors and diplomatic representatives from 21 countries on an official visit to its Anvar Branch factory in Songkhla and Sri Trang Group’s rubber plantations, underscoring the strength of Thailand’s rubber glove industry and the promise of the southern border provinces.

The delegation included envoys from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. They were joined by officials from the National Security Council, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Songkhla authorities and members of the media. The visit formed part of a project to enhance international understanding and cooperation, jointly organised by the National Security Council and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

STGT, one of the world’s largest producers of natural rubber and nitrile gloves, operates 14 manufacturing facilities across southern Thailand. The tour highlighted the company’s fully integrated supply chain, traceability systems and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives under the theme ‘Clean World Clean Gloves.’ Visitors also observed glove production driven by innovation and AI, alongside natural rubber tapping demonstrations.

Mr Veerasith Sinchareonkul, CEO of Sri Trang Group, and Ms Jarinya Jirojkul, CEO of STGT, led the welcome. Mr Veerasith said the occasion was both an honour and an opportunity to showcase Thailand’s industrial potential while fostering sustainable cooperation.

‘This visit is not only a chance to highlight our capabilities but also a platform to build bridges for economic collaboration, social exchange and sustainable development,’ he said.

The event reinforced Thailand’s status as a global leader in rubber gloves and the industry’s role in driving growth in the South.

Two Thais have been named to the Time100 Next list of the world’s most influential ‘rising stars’: politician Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut and golfer Jeeno Thitikul.

Time magazine divided those chosen into five categories: Artists, Phenoms, Innovators, Advocates and Leaders. Jeeno, the world’s top-ranked female golfer at age 22, was named in the Phenoms category; and Mr Natthaphong, 38, the leader of the People’s Party, in the Leaders group.

A brief article on Mr Natthaphong traced the political circumstances – ‘two steps forward and one step back’ – that led to his ascent to the top position in the country’s largest political party.

The former tech executive was chosen to lead the People’s Party last year after the court-ordered dissolution of two predecessor parties – Future Forward and Move Forward – and the banning of their leaders.

‘The constitutional court’s ousting of [Former prime minister Paethongtarn Shinawatra] in August means fresh elections are looming, and many young Thais hope that Natthaphong can make the leap to the country’s top job,’ the magazine wrote.

‘Our vision is to reform politics, the economy, and reduce social inequality,’ Mr Natthaphong told Time. ‘We have to bring full democracy to our country.’ (Story continues below)

‘Complete’ golfer

Ratchaburi native Jeeno rose to the top spot in the Rolex women’s golf rankings earlier this year and leads in almost every statistical category in the sport this year.

Since joining the LPGA tour in 2022, she has won five tournaments and had a remarkable 52 Top 10 finishes, with nearly $13 million in career earnings to date.

Time magazine enlisted Lydia Ko, herself a member of the LPGA Hall of Fame at just 28 and also ranked third in the world, to write a brief essay about her friend and rival.

‘Most professional golfers are really good at one thing. For some, it’s their long game or iron shot, for others, it’s putting or chipping. But for Jeeno Thitikul, it’s everything,’ Ko wrote.

‘She motivates me to be a better player, and I feel lucky to be able to play alongside her.’

The Bank of Thailand (BoT) reported on Wednesday there had been no unusual movements in the country’s financial markets following the US government shutdown, and it was monitoring the situation.

In a statement, the BoT said businesses should manage their risks from market volatility.

Dollar eases to week low

The US dollar sank to a one-week low against major currencies on Wednesday as the US government shutdown unsettled markets and threatened to delay key jobs data, seen as crucial for Federal Reserve (Fed) policy decisions.

The shutdown commenced hours after the Senate rejected a short-term spending measure that would have kept government operations afloat through Nov 21. Senate Republican Leader John Thune said the chamber would vote again on the House-passed measure on Wednesday. The Senate is due to convene at 1400 GMT.

The dollar index, which tracks the US currency against six major peers, slipped 0.2%. The price action across the broader markets bore a few hallmarks of safe-haven buying, giving low-yielding currencies such as the Japanese yen and the Swiss franc a bid, while US Treasuries and gold held firm.

Safe haven or not?

Rabobank chief currency strategist Jane Foley said it was tricky discerning if yen strength was driven by safe-haven demand or speculation about the Bank of Japan (BOJ) raising rates.

“It’s a market that is not sure it’s supposed to be nervous. It’s not blindingly obvious that there is a very strong safe-haven bid. There are small pockets of evidence that there is.”

The dollar was down 0.5% against the yen, around its weakest in two weeks, while losing around 0.2% against the Swiss franc, another traditional safe haven.

US President Donald Trump warned congressional Democrats on Tuesday that letting the federal government shutdown would allow his administration to take “irreversible” actions including closing programmes important to them.

The US Labour and Commerce departments said their statistics agencies would halt data releases in the event of a partial shutdown. That includes Friday’s scheduled nonfarm payrolls release, considered key in determining whether a Fed rate cut is likely at the end of this month.

US jobs in focus

On Tuesday, a mixed reading for the Bureau of Labour Statistics’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, or JOLTS, pressured the dollar. The report showed US job openings increased marginally in August while hiring declined, consistent with a softening labour market.

In the absence of official data, more emphasis will fall on private-sector economic indicators. The ADP employment report is due later on Wednesday.

The length of any shutdown may be key for markets, as the Fed’s next policy decision on October 29 remains weeks away. Traders currently see a quarter-point cut as a near certainty, with market-implied odds of around 95%, according to LSEG data.

In contrast, traders are placing a roughly 40% chance the BOJ will raise interest rates this month. The central bank’s quarterly “tankan” corporate sentiment survey on Wednesday showed confidence among big Japanese manufacturers improved for the second straight quarter and firms maintained their upbeat spending plans.

BOJ officials have tilted more hawkish in recent days, including formerly dovish board member Asahi Noguchi, who said on Monday that the need for policy tightening was increasing “more than ever.”

“The BOJ does not actually appear especially worried about how Trump tariffs might affect the Japanese economy,” said Yusuke Matsuo, senior markets economist at Mizuho Securities.

Sluggish Europe

The euro shrugged off a survey on Wednesday that showed euro zone manufacturing activity slipped back into contraction last month, with new orders falling at their fastest pace in six months.

The euro, which gained 0.2% in September and is up 13.5% this year, rose 0.25% to $1.1763, around one-week highs.

A debate about street art has emerged in Bangkok, with some people calling for strict prosecution of vandals who defaced commissioned murals, while others argue that the acts were part of the normal ‘bombing’ culture in graffiti art.

The issue was sparked by a recent incident on Charoen Krung Soi 30, where an work painted by a Spanish artist under the ‘Krungthep Creative Streets’ project was damaged by three street vandals. One of them was arrested and faced charges on Monday while two remained at large.

Many people called the actions disrespectful to the original artist and unpleasant for the city’s image. Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt visited the site and condemned it as unacceptable.

The Embassy of France in Thailand, which co-hosted the project with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), said on Facebook that the perpetrators had ‘damaged the beauty of the art’.

After the news emerged, more complaints about such behaviour from other parts of Bangkok and other cities were reported, with people asking authorities to step up efforts to find and prosecute the vandals.

The defaced, original murals were created under legal projects to revive selected neighbourhoods, but many graffiti artists also target empty spaces and do not obtain permission to paint. (Story continues below)

Some people maintain that the actions were ‘normal in graffiti bombing culture’, the idea being that painting over another artist’s work is a way to bluff and show power by applying quick throw-ups or tags.

Street art culture has evolved over the decades as a way to make a statement, usually against the prevailing social structure, in cities all over the world. Some practitioners, Banksy being the most notable, have raised it to a high art form.

Graffiti has been around forever but the style of expression most people are familiar with today originated in the 1960s in cities in the United States. Young people, most of them black, used graffiti to express themselves and advocate for their rights.

In Thailand, people generally regard graffiti as bad manners and vandalism. When the damage is done to a work that was created with permission from the property owners, it violates the Maintenance, Cleanliness and Orderliness Act.

‘People who witness unlawful painting or other damaging of government property can report via TraffyFondue,’ the BMA advises on Facebook, referring to the popular app for citizen complaints.

On Wednesday, a 17-year-old man was also arrested in Nakhon Ratchasima for damaging a portrait mural of Luang Phor Khun Parissudho, a famous monk who died in 2015. Police said the teenager admitted his wrongdoing.

Two prominent legal figures have voiced concern over former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s latest request for a royal pardon, warning that it not only falls outside the scope of the law but could also expose the justice minister to criminal liability.

Chao Meekhuad, a lawyer and former Democrat Party deputy spokesman, wrote on Facebook on Tuesday that Thaksin’s move to petition for a second individual pardon raises serious legal questions.

He noted that Thaksin had already been granted royal clemency, which reduced his eight-year prison sentence to one year. That reduction, he said, was the result of a royal command rather than the original court ruling.

Under Section 259 of the Criminal Procedure Code, only those “sentenced by final judgement” may apply for a pardon, Mr Chao said, adding that since Thaksin’s penalty has already been transformed by royal grace, it no longer constitutes a court-imposed sentence.

Filing again, therefore, risks falling outside the law, he said.

Mr Chao also cited Section 261 of the same law, which requires the justice minister to give an advisory opinion on any pardon submission.

If the minister forwards Thaksin’s request despite knowing it contradicts legal criteria, he warned, the act could be deemed an abuse of authority in violation of Section 157 of the Criminal Code.

“Pardons exist for those who show genuine remorse, not as a passport for repeat offenders who refuse to respect the court’s verdict,” Mr Chao said.

Senior prosecutor Poramet Intarachumnum echoed the concern. He said Section 264 of the Criminal Procedure Code clearly prohibits filing a new pardon petition within two years if a previous request has already been rejected or granted, except in death penalty cases.

PARIS – A Victor Osimhen penalty gave Galatasaray victory over Liverpool in the Champions League on Tuesday, while Chelsea edged out Jose Mourinho’s Benfica and Kylian Mbappe hit a hat-trick for Real Madrid in Kazakhstan.

Elsewhere in the second round of matches in the league phase of Europe’s elite club competition, Tottenham battled back to draw with Bodo/Glimt as Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, Marseille and Inter Milan recorded big wins.

In Istanbul, Osimhen beat Alisson Becker from the spot in the 16th minute, giving Galatasaray a 1-0 win and condemning Liverpool to a second straight loss after their defeat by Crystal Palace in the Premier League.

The English champions thought they had a chance to equalise late on when Ibrahima Konate went down and a penalty was given, but the referee overturned his decision on review.

Liverpool, who finished first in the league phase last season, also saw Alisson go off injured in the second half before the introductions off the bench of Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak failed to have the desired impact.

“The margins were very small last season but then we were a lot of times on the right side of the score,” coach Arne Slot said.

“Today again the margins were really small, but for the second time in a row on the wrong side.”

Liverpool will now hope to bounce back on Saturday away to Chelsea, who themselves got back to winning ways with a 1-0 success against Benfica as the Portuguese giants’ new coach Mourinho came back to Stamford Bridge.

Richard Rios turned an Alejandro Garnacho cross into his own net for the only goal of the game in the 18th minute, with Benfica unable to recover as Mourinho returned to face the club he coached over two separate spells.

Chelsea had substitute Joao Pedro sent off in stoppage time but Enzo Maresca’s side were delighted to get the win after losing their opening European game of the campaign at Bayern.

“A defeat is always a defeat but this one can be a start for us. It was a stable performance,” Mourinho said of his team.

Spurs escaped Norway with a point in a 2-2 draw with Bodo/Glimt in a game played north of the Arctic Circle.

Kasper Hogh missed a penalty for the hosts before a brilliant second-half brace from Jens Petter Hauge had them two goals in front.

However, Micky van de Ven pulled one back on 68 minutes for last season’s Europa League winners, and Spurs then got a lucky 89th-minute equaliser when a Nikita Haikin save smashed into the stomach of Jostein Gundersen from close range and trickled over the line.

– Mbappe hat-trick, Kane on target –

Record 15-time European champions Real made the long trip east to face Kairat Almaty and ran out 5-0 winners.

Mbappe opened the scoring from a first-half penalty and made it 2-0 soon after the break before firing in from the edge of the area to complete his hat-trick on 73 minutes, making it 60 career Champions League goals.

The Frenchman has now scored 13 goals in nine games in all competitions this season for Real, who also saw Eduardo Camavinga and Brahim Diaz net towards the end.

Bayern also scored five, with Harry Kane netting twice in the first half in a 5-1 win away to Pafos in Cyprus. The England star now has 17 goals in nine games in all competitions this season for his club.

Raphael Guerreiro, Nicolas Jackson and Michael Olise also found the net for Bayern, while Mislav Orsic scored for the hosts.

“I’m going into games with confidence, knowing I’ll get my chances. Scored a couple more goals today, I’m happy with that,” Kane said.

Atletico followed a 5-2 win over Real in the Madrid derby last weekend by thumping Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1.

Giacomo Raspadori, Robin Le Normand, Antoine Griezmann and Giuliano Simeone netted for Atletico before Julian Alvarez scored a late penalty. Griezmann’s goal was his 200th for the club. Jonathan Burkardt pulled one back for Eintracht.

Igor Paixao netted twice in the opening 12 minutes as Marseille hammered Ajax 4-0. Mason Greenwood and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were also on target.

Lautaro Martinez got a brace either side of a Denzel Dumfries goal as last season’s runners-up Inter eased to a 3-0 win over Slavia Prague at San Siro.

Mario Pasalic scored a late winner as Atalanta beat Club Brugge 2-1, after a Lazar Samardzic penalty had cancelled out a Christos Tzolis opener for the Belgians.

SURAT THANI – Nine students on a field trip received minor injuries when their chartered bus sideswiped a car and then veered off the highway in heavy rain in this southern province on Tuesday.

The crash occurred on Highway 44 (Surat Thani-Krabi) near kilometre marker 117+200 in Kanchanadit district about 4pm, Kanchanadit Rescue reported.

The double-decker bus was carrying 37 students and two teachers from Na San School in Surat Thani. They were travelling back from a field trip to Khanom district in Nakhon Si Thammarat, about 100 kilometres from the school.

The bus crew comprised the driver and two assistants.

Rescuers said it was raining at the scene. The bus had run off the road and into some trees before coming to a halt. It did not overturn.

Three boys and six girls, aged between 11 and 12, had complained of arm and leg pain after the crash and were taken to Kanchanadit Hospital.

A grey sedan was stopped nearby. It had damage to its front left side. Two passengers also sustained minor injuries, rescuers said.

Police said it appeared there was a small collision after which the bus driver lost control and the bus veered off the rain-soaked road.

The investigation was continuing.

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is finalising the case of the leaked audio clip between Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen and former prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

Watcharin Phanurat, OAG deputy director-general, said on Tuesday the office has ordered the Cyber Crime Investigation Department 1 to supervise the case, with him leading the probe committee.

Investigators have already questioned numerous witnesses, including Ms Paetongtarn and one individual who reported on Hun Sen’s usage and behaviour on Facebook.

The authenticity of the audio clip does not need to be verified, he said, as Ms Paetongtarn was ruled ethically unfit to continue serving in her post by the Constitutional Court.

The OAG’s case on the audio clip is separate from that conducted by the Constitutional Court, according to Mr Watcharin.

He said the OAG’s investigation focuses on whether Hun Sen had any intention to instigate chaos or turmoil among Thais and if he violated Section 116 of the Criminal Code and the Computer Crime Act.

The investigation is set to finish in the coming weeks before it is submitted to the attorney-general, with only that figure able to decide on the accusation against Hun Sen, as it is considered an extraterritorial case.

The OAG may also probe another case to decide if Hun Sen’s offences involve terrorism and harm against the public, leading to the loss of life and property.

Police complaints to that effect have been filed by both the people and public offices in many areas in Thailand, said Mr Watcharin.